
"LIB RARY . 

C) F -TH E 

U N IYER'S; I'fY 
Of ILLINOIS 

630.T 

lie* 

Ao.49-60 



AGRICULTURE 



NOTICE: Return or renew all Library Materials! The Minimum Fee for 
each Lost Book is $50.00. 

The person charging this material is responsible for 
its return to the library from which it was withdrawn 
on or before the Latest Date stamped below. 

Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for discipli- 
nary action and may result in dismissal from the University. 
To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 



L161 0-1096 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, 

Agricultural Experiment Station. 



URBANA, JANUARY, 1898. 



BULLETIN No. 49. 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 

The results of experiments and investigations by the Experiment 
Station to determine the possibilities of the Beet Sugar Industry for 
Illinois show : 

1. That Illinois can produce sugar beets of excellent quality for 
manufacturing purposes. 

2. That this production is not limited to particular soils or sections 
of the state. 

3. That Illinois possesses many advantages for the development 
of the industry such as good soil, plenty of fuel, lime rock and pure 
water, besides good markets and the best of transportation. 

4. That under present conditions beets can be produced at a cost 
which will insure comparatively large profits for both grower and 
manufacturer. 

5. That accurate knowledge of the practical details of the work 
and cooperation between grower and manufacturer are absolutely 
essential to success. 

WHAT THE EXPERIMENT STATION HAS DONE. 

It conducted experiments last year that show without doubt that 
Illinois can excel in the beet sugar industry whenever its citizens choose 
to undertake it seriously. It sent a trusty employe to the fields and 
factories of Nebraska to collect detailed information upon the growth 
of the crop, the profits of the business, the organization and starting of 
the enterprise, and the dangers and difficulties that experience has dis- 



2 BULLETIN NO. 49. [January, 

covered. It has brought into this bulletin, so far as space would permit, 
all the information and counsel possible, and it does not hesitate to 
recommend the business to the people of the state as an industry that is 
exceedingly profitable, nor to say that now is a favorable time to start. 

Acknowledgments are due to the management at both Grand Island 
and Norfolk factories for courtesies extended to our representative and 
to the numerous individuals and companies that have contributed to the 
value of this publication by furnishing detailed information and by loan 
of cuts of special machinery. 

That portion of the bulletin including analysis of samples grown in 
this state was prepared by Mr. C. G. Hopkins, who personally con- 
ducted all analyses, and the rest was prepared by Professor P. G. 
Holden, who has in charge the general subject of sugar beet 
experimentation. 

WHAT THE EXPERIMENT STATION PROPOSES TO Do. 

From now on the locality is the unit for purposes of experimenta- 
tion. Communities should organize, remembering that it would take 
fifty good factories to manufacture the sugar consumed by the citizens 
of Illinois, for which they pay annually some twelve million dollars. It has 
cost the Station much time, effort, and money to show that Illinois is 
by nature a sugar producing state and to point out the principles 
essential to success, and this work cannot be repeated. No general dis- 
tribution of beet seed, therefore, will again be made, neither does the law 
permit analyses for private individuals. There are, however, many local 
questions and matters of education in methods of beet culture and in 
the establishing of factories that are of fundamental importance to any 
community that is thinking of growing beets on a commercial scale. 
The Station desires to be helpful and proposes to cooperate with any 
locality or organization that is seriously interested and is willing to com- 
ply with the following conditions : 

1. To secure an organization or some kind of union between not 
less than five citizens of the community within a radius of five miles 
from a common center. 

2. To raise five trial fields of at least one-fourth acre each in rep- 
resentative soil and according to directions furnished by the Station. 

3. To record data and collect samples as directed by the Station, 
and send them for analysis, transportation prepaid. 

Communities desiring such assistance should arrange in advance 
upon the plan indicated above and at the earliest possible date. Seed 
will be supplied from here free of cost. 

E. DAVENPORT, 

Director. 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 3. 

CAN ILLINOIS PRODUCE SUGAR BEETS PROFITABLY AS A 
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE? 

In the spring of 1897 high grade seed of the Original Klein Wanz- 
leben variety, furnished by the United States Department of Agricul- 
ture, was sent with printed instructions for growing to 600 persons 
representing all sections of the state. Over 400 samples of beets 
from 64 counties of the state were returned to the Station during the 
months of October and November for analysis, and the tabulated re- 
sults with brief explanations are given on the following pages. In study- 
ing these results it must be distinctly borne in mind that with very few 
exceptions the beets were grown by persons having no practical knowl- 
edge of the details of this peculiar industry, printed instructions being 
their only guide. It is to be regretted that, owing to lack of space, 
the full reports from the individuals growing the samples of beets, as to 
kind of soil, cultivation, etc., cannot accompany the analytical data, 
since they would readily explain many of the cases where low per cents, 
were obtained. Indeed the instances where beets received even normal 
treatment are the exception, rather than the rule. But this does not 
make the results obtained less valuable. If good beets can be produced 
under such conditions, there certainly can be little doubt as to the 
results when our farmers have become acquainted with the details of the 
industry. For marketable grades of beets see " Contract" on page 25. 

ANALYTICAL METHODS, EXPLANATIONS OF TERMS, ETC. 

In no case was a single beet analyzed, and as a rule, five or six 
beets were taken as a sample for analysis, the weight of the sample 
being taken after the beets had been washed and topped according 
to factory methods. The average weight was obtained by dividing the 
weight of the sample by the number of beets taken. The beets were 
then reduced to pulp and a large sample of the juice expressed. 

The per cent, of solids in juice was obtained by means of standard 
Brix hydrometers, and the per cent, of sugar in juice was determined 
by the polariscope. 

The purity coefficient means the per cent, of pure sugar in the 
total solid matter found in the juice, and is obtained by dividing the per 
cent, of sugar in the juice by the per cent, of solids in the juice. 

For example, if the juice from a sample of beets contains 12 per 
cent, of sugar and 15 per cent, of solids its purity coefficent is 80; that 
is, in 100 pounds of the solid matter from the juice there are 80 pounds 
of sugar and 20 pounds of impurities. This is a very important matter, 
because the impurities are not only a total loss in themselves, but they 
have the effect of preventing the crystallization of about an equal 



4 BULLETIN NO. 49. [January, 

amount of sugar, so that for the case in hand, it is possible to obtain only 
about 60 pounds of sugar instead of the 80 pounds which are present. 

The per cent, of sugar in beets is found by multiplying the per 
cent, of sugar in juice by .95. This assumes the fresh beets to contain, 
as they do, an average of 95 per cent, of juice, although the per- 
centage varies from about 94 per cent, to 96 per cent. It is thus possi- 
ble to introduce an error of one or two-tenths per cent., which for the 
practical purposes of the work is insignificant, especially when we 
remember that the variation in different samples of beets carefully 
selected from the same plat is several times greater. (See tables 
i and 4). 

These are the established analytical methods employed in beet 
sugar factories, and the results given are strictly comparable with 
analytical data from factories. 

As a rule the size of the beets has a marked influence upon the per- 
centage of sugar, the smaller beets having a high percentage of sugar 
and the larger beets a low percentage. This fact should always be 
borne in mind when studying tables of sugar beet analyses. 

The true basis for sugar beet growers should be the highest yield of 
crystallizable sugar per acre. With beets much above two pounds aver- 
age weight the percentage of sugar and the purity coefficient will be 
too low to secure the best results, while from beets of much less than one 
pound average weight the yield will be too low for the greatest profit, 
although the percentage of sugar and the purity coefficient may be high. 
In the following tables the most important data are, average weight 
of beets, per cent, of sugar in beets, and purity coefficient. 

While all of the samples analyzed are reported in the following tables, 
it should be constantly borne in mind that samples of beets which give 
poor results are not necessarily evidence that good beets cannot be 
grown in the locality from which they came, or even on the same spot 
of ground. It is far more likely that the failure is due to ignorance or 
negligence as to the proper conditions and methods of growing sugar 
beets. 

On the other hand samples which show a good quality are positive 
evidence that good beets can be grown in the locality from which they 
came. 

Beets which were badly wilted when received were not analyzed. 
Several samples which were slightly wilted were analyzed. They are 
marked "wilted" in the tables. The effects of wilting are to decrease 
the weight of the beets and to increase the per cent, of sugar and solids. 
The purity coefficient is not affected. 

In arranging the tables of results, the state is divided into the three 
general sections, northern, central and southern. 



1898.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS, 1889-1897. 
TEMPERATURE, DEGREES, FAHRENHEIT. 





January. 


February. 


March. 


April. 




Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


1889 


29.28 


57 


-2 


23.36 


53 


-7-5 


39.92 


72 


18 


51-9 


75 


25 


1890 


33-5 


66 


-5 


34.66 


68 


7 


33.35 


61 


2 


52.32 


81 


29 


1891 


30.26 


57 


6 


30.45 


61 


-9 


32.55 


65 


-I 


52.78 


81 


22 


1892 


19.2 


57 


-15 


33 


55 


* 


36.1 


69 


* 


48.6 


70.5 


26 


1893 


14.8 


48 


* 


25-8 


5i 


* 


37-8 


76 


* 


49-3 


7S 


30 


1894 


29.4 


6 4 


-21 


24.7 


58 


-5 


43.5 


77 


IO 


51-4 


85 


25 


1895 


19.5 


57 


-8 


17.9 


65 


-20.5 


35-9 


84 


7 


52-3 


88 


27 


1896 


28.1 


52 


-5 


29.6 


68 


-4 


34-4 


67 


6 


57-6 


86 


21 


1897 


22. 3 


59 


-15 


30.36 


59 


-2 


39-77 


66 


20 


48.4 


79 


21 


Whole Period 


25.15 


66 


-21 


27.76 


68 - 


-20.5 


37-03 


84 


-I 


51.62 


88 


21 




May. 


June. 


July. 


August. 




Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


1889 


59-2 


91 


28 


65.5 


88 


4 


72.7 


90.5 


50 


69.2 


8 9 


29.5. 


1890 


58.27 


87 


33 


74.56 


96 


47 


73.02 


97-5 


45 


68.74 


9 6 


44-5 


1891 


58.4 


91 


30 


71.9 


93 


49 


70. 12 


93 


42 


70.21 


99 


4 


1892 


57-9 


82 


30 


70.6 


94 


5i 


73-3 


96.5 


46 


71.5 


94 


47 


1893 


57-4 


84 


37 


70.5 


93 


53 


76.4 


98 


48 


7I.I 


96 


37 


1894 


59-6 


89 


32 


73-4 


97 


34 


73-8 


98 


47 


72.3 


99 


4i 


1895 


59-4 


95 


28 


73-3 


98.5 


42 


71-3 


94 


43 


73-2 


97 


48 


1896 


68.2 


9i 


45 


70.2 


92 


49 


73-8 


95 


49 


72 


97 


44 


1897 


58 


83 


3i 


70 


93 


44 


76 


89 


53 


70 


97 


42 


Whole Period.... 


59-59 


95 


28 


71.11 


98.5 


34 


73 38 


98 


42 


70.92 


99 


29-5 




September. 


October. 


November. 


December. 




Mean. 


Max 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


Mean. 


Max. 


Min. 


1889 


6l .32 


87.5 


32 


47.26 


82 


25 


36.82 


62 


4 


42.71 


66 


15 


1890 


60.46 


89 


33 


52.07 


76 


27 


42.62 


68 


21 


30.91 


5* 


8 


1891 


69.2 


96 


4 1 


51-3 


88.5 


27 


35.69 


67 


2 


37 


60 


ii 


1892 


63.9 


87 


42 


53-6 


'88.5 


19 


34-8 


64 


7 


27.7 


60 


-7 


1893 


66.5 


97 


3i 


53-3 


84 


18 


37-3 


75 


6 


30 


63 


-6 


1894 


65 


94 


.38 


51-9 


84 


28 


35-9 


67 


12 


32.9 


59 


-4 


1895 


67.7 


94 


32 


45-9 


75 


12 


38.2 


73 


4 


31-1 


59 


-2 


1896 


61 .9 


9i 


30 


48.8 


79 


24 


39-9 


74 


9 


33-3 


62 


8 


1897 


69.4 


97-5 


32 


59-1 


92 


32 


39-5 


69 


ii 


26.3 


59 


i 


Whole Period .... 


65.04 


97-5 


30 


51.47 


92 


12 


37-86 


75 


2 


32-44 


66 


-7 



RAINFALL, INCHES. 





Jan 


Feb. 


Mar. 


April. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Year. 


1889 


1.48 


2.08 


I.6l 


.61 


5-52 


6.81 


5-8l 


.60 


2-74 


1.42 


4.38 


1.82 


34-88 


1890 


5.26 


1.87 


2.70 


4.11 


3.56 


3.80 


2.83 


i-93 


1.19 


2.35 


1.63 


.05 


31. 28- 


1891 


99 


2.6o 


3-55 


3-54 


.89 


2.08 


1.41 


2.86 


.41 


1.29 


5.58 


r -53 


26.73 


1892 


79 


2.64 


2.59 


6.45 


7.86 


5-36 


2.50 


2-45 


93 


93 


4-95 


1.62 


39-05 


1893 


1.05 


4.48 


3 . 20 7 . 68 


4-83 


1-55 


59 


.06 


3.62 


1.14 


2.98 


1.09 


32.37 


1894 


1.95 


1.32 


2.41 


1.86 


3-32 


1.78 


1. 08 


2.06 


4.21 


5i 


2-77 


1.44 


24-72 


1895 


1.36 


52 


.70 


2.42 


2.20 


2.24 


3.6i 


1.81 


5-27 


.21 


3-07 


5-7i 


29.12 


1896 


I. 12 


1-95 


1.22 


1.89 


5.62 


2.98 


7.87 


3-74 


5-84 


.42 


2.87 


39 


35.91 


1897 


4-53 


1.17 


4. IO 


3.65 


I. 80 


5.15 


4.68 


63 


3i 


42 


t-9i 


2.67 


34-02 


he... 


2.06 


2.07 


2-45 


3.58 


3-95 


3-53 


3-37 


1.79 


2.72 


97 


3-68 


1-59 


32.01 


* Record incomplete. 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



\_January, 



S 3 3 
O U U 

o o o 
o o o 

OOO 



03 



HI o ||| 
5 S? rt rt ? rt !!! 



g o o o o o *; 

O O o O O o O 

o o a, n, o 0, ;z; 



1.1 



mo 



C/) 



o 5 -a 



* |22S 

132 2 "3 "3 s " " 



O O v- v. 



Purity 
coefficient. 

Solids in i H . ^. 

Sugar in i "? T. ? T ". ^ N . N . M . ? . ^ ? M . ^ M . . "? M . 

i> i r> . m -^ w ic f<5 <s N oo (s i<j * -w >o oo re i >o o >c i fo 

OfCfOIOOTfSfNfS-^^-vONfcmT O-^^OOOfS O>OfS 

beets. 
Average 

iwoirrVlf r\t O^ O O^ 1 GO O OO O ^~OO ^1" - 04 U"i VO O\ O O4 O^ 04 C^> ^ - O M M 

VVClgllL, Ui. HH-^H-^H^-^^J^ .f^rvj rO fQ MI-lOI04l-HkHHM04 04N 

N^o. analyzed | vo o o ^*o o o o o o t^ ^~ ^j~vo u~io too o o o o o**o o o o o 

04 C\ O^ ro ro O O ^J*vO OOCOvOOvD 04 i/")ioi/"i roo O *-< O f"> O\ 

-j - - 0404i-i0404O404M(-lwl-il-IMl-imol0404>-i 

Analyzed. ^ ^ ^ > > ^ 

ooooooooooouuoouuoooooouoooo 

OOOZZOOOOOOOOO^OOOOOOOOOO^O^ 

MMM NHMMNPJMNMMNM M w04 MwM04iHM 

Harvested. 

ouobooooooooooT3o ouoo ooooou 

OOO^OOOOOOOOOOOO OOOO OOOOOO 

^rco ooo^o^^u^mm- -M t^ OOO-* mt-iGoovoo 

rtrtrtrtrtrtrtoj o, rt rt rt cti rt rt rt rt rt rt rt rt rt rt 
^ ^ ^5 ^5 ^5 ^5 ^ ^5 ^* ^ ^ ^5 ^5 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

LSD. N^o. ^~ c*> oo 10 >*. N N M t*-^ M oo t*^ c^- **"* c*> fo ^~ co o*> *o ^j* co N o o^ r^- ^ *o 

^4 M M ro ro C*< C< M oi oo M ?4 N -* CO M M HH M ro N N 01 Ht rO C^ "O 

a 



O 




S S 



coo 

O 60 6C 

rt rt 



O O QJ 1) 1) CJ O 



<DOJJJ ;--; ;^3j'33'33'3i'3j3!33 j ; ] * ; * | ; ; ;5 



1898 ] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



a 



II s-m jiiJJjjJbJ Ijl I I | \ 

tJ ~ -".rtrt-MtirtH? rt rt > T3 > 5i rt ' rt rt rt 

43 > '* '" e ' - - - 

J"llP|f ilP'll'S'jj" 5l?jlfc 1: 111 

B O fi O 13 Od o! rt rt rt 

OOCO- (SfO'VO',OMft-"OOO<Sift*5OaOt>t>rS-i/iOOOOapO;NOv'V<Sr>f<5pap 

vr<foOvao<s^f<5ow(saa(sofso-^oO'O(S'-<sow5Of<5ao' < i i 0^ oofsm 

M ^- M Q> ^Q O CO C*** f") f") O ^~ M *O M O "^ fO *O lO ^ O^ O ^* C^^O *O ^" O O N O M 5 s ) M t^O 
M \O HI vO <*O O w ^~ fO O ^ C< PO ^^ *O ^~ <^ O N O fO rO M ro N O M "^" *O 10 01 vD fO fO *O *O 10 

O 1C O id re 1C 

O t^oo oo o oo co t^ in o Ooo C^P^ t^poinrj-t^r^t^ c^oo oooo oooo mcs inpooo inr^o 
\O TJ-C^POCS o ^t*N POOO POC^POW r^-i inM o O POt^-^-oooo N t*^o ^r^'-ioo o^O^O 

NNMMNtNNC^PQi-ii-iNi-ii-iNMi-iinNNiNi-iuM MMMMMMMNPOMI-II-IM 

>noo inONinM ^r^cow M o^oo P4 rj-oo o O M c\ -< POOOO o\ -< mo no O^O^O^M O^vo 

NMNNNMi-. NN Mi-li-iM l-NPONM M MNMM M MM M MM 

ooooooooooooooooo nj o otjtjOo^jooOooooooooo 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOigOOcflOOOOZOOOOigOigigOOOiZOZ 
M pn PO in N r^ t^ r^oo OOO^>noo^oopor^oo'n^^o^oo'l>n'-lOO >* -POM 

NMNMN MN H. MflN NMMM NMMM .... M ... M M 

oooooooootjoooootjo 0*0 oooooooo ' * I .o ; I ]oO 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOcnOOOOOOOOO .Q . .QZ 
\o fvo MinMMinOPO OOOMMNOOM t^oo Nnr~.oootn- -in- -MO 

P4MN MPOPOMMM MM M MM MMMMMM--'*M'--M 

o in o *~* O t^- r^ o ^ ^ PO oo o^ O ^~ N M T}~ M POO c^ c^- u~i c^i O c^*oo t^ r** O oo o oo in o O 

M M M PQ M f<0)P< MPOPOMPO NN PO M INN POP^PO-3-i-i MPOQlTf 

: a : : j % ? : g : : : i j, : : : .2 a ; : : ^2 : -g j ^ ; ; ; ^g'-g : 

>, >, 



, ^5 ~ O O 



c afflOQM 



o o o o o 



CQ 



,O u U H fe < W 



. _ _ 





034>V4>0>VOO474)4)O4)4I4}4)943 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January., 






2 .8.2 

rt -^ -STJ ? 






:o 



Purity 
coefficient. 



OOrO^(Sr<O.O(SaoOO*ICICf5f*500' 



Solids in 
juice. 



o vo -r 

O T O 



fioooooi-iptNTTi-ioo r-^oo o T 
t^oo oo oo t--oc O oo PO r^ o t^oo oo ooc 



Sugar in 
juice. 



O^OO IH N ro 



oo o^omoo POU ON 



Sugar in 
beets. 



Average 
weight, oz. 



ID N O N 

M O 00 O 



N O PO IDOO PONOOt-~OC^Ot^t^u-lO 
T N 00 T O l-^CC O "I ID TOO t-~ t^O O 



No. analyzed 



OvOOOOvOOvOvOvOO <OO O 



N romrOPOm'OPON 



N OO x i 1 DlDOO POO'vOPOO OO 1-1 "DOr-t^t~t^t~-C--r^.t^t^.l^t^ 



Analyzed 



OOOOOOUOOOOUOOOOOOOUOOOOOOOO 

OOOZZOOZOO^OOOOZOOOOOOOOOOOO 



Harvested. 



U"> t^CO ^-t^O'O'OO OOO O>i-i OOO OCCOOOO 



ooooouooooooooooooooo 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 



Planted. 




T i- XT 1 TOO OOO ON t^ O >-> -*-O "">OC O u->vO "I C N CO 30 O C NO u-> -^- 

Lab. No. oo o o r-~ f--o oo t^-o o u-> r^ >-> PO t^~ o CT> c c>oo o o o oc oo oc ov 

1 NNPOrONNPONNPONrONNPO^NPONNNNPONNNN 



i-i3'OT3 r o--::'-.-::---c c ---c-ao--- 

llll si ; i.s.8.8 1 i ; ;6i|. : ||8 ;i :. : i 

^a,ci, &H a,^^HHH^ E i K ^|!5aQK^ : n s 



. . - 

O < O U fe U Q -A 



v 

,ffi _) u U 



u 



rtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtcflrtrtrtoj . ~< ui co w us 
2 O In ^ fi C 



y 



^^Z-^Z^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ rt'O 
rtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrt " "^ 5 ' 
enenenenenencncnenenenenenenCCS; 
rtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtcu 



1898.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 





































C/l 


















3 


















>, 


















5 


















u 

3 


vi 

ex 

3 
3 

't: 

i i 




Not Station seed 
Fair cultivation. 








Fair cultivation. 
Good cultivation 


3= 

o 

i-, 

a 
a 
O 


Good cultivation 
Good cultivation 
Beets wilted. In 



.S3 => . 
TO ? 

fa 5 



rt 



1 



rs ceo 






.2 .2 - -2 

a ? 5 > > 
o "**' 

asfi'llii 

w 1-1 *2 T3 i-t 

d. o <u u .- . o o 

H Cu 03 O O (2 



N -^-oo m M o O 






NNNCSN 04NMMNO N N w >-i M 


^ c 
fc i; 


NiNMrrimMVOTt--<J-NfO^-Ofn 


oooooOoooouooooooOoo 

00000^00000000000^:00 


2 s 


OOOOOOOUOOOOUO 

ZOOZZOOOOOOOOO 


O Noo O O"lCTiO>OC>O'-i\O H( TJ-M t^l>-vn 
CSMMINMMI-I-II-IMMM MNWM 04 


II 


^ CT> <7> "">oo ^nt^i-iO'-iMCTiC* 


OOOOOOOUUOUOOOOUOOajO 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZcfiO 


Cfl U 


oouoo^ouoouooo 


oOOOON"~)Ot^Ot^l^OOrnc^-04^--^-ON 

d IH M M H C4 N P)l-lN "NNNN 


-5 = 


NmOOOO'Ot-^ -O^OOt^O 
NMMOJNi-iMN -t-iNN M 



N C 

O O O 



t^-00 M ro PO 

' 




10 t^OO t^ 

OOO3O CTi 
rn w w rO 



: ^'5^ g g 



] ~ :j2 <u ^-T-j 
1 2 M "S = * ^ 



,< U H 



OCOOOCOt^-NONOro u-)00 
0v 00 C^ O O ^t" ^O N ^ 
r<l -<J- f M M M 



' V ' ' X ' 

^ ^ tn i 



: : E ; 

. i_i rt T3 oi 



a n: 



UO 



U U U O O 




:--Hl 

rt O 
-'& 



C O O O O 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



R 



.a . -c 
c o c c v 

JS 

s a '2 vn JJ 
a! rt 



. ^ .S - E en in en . en . . . uj . en 

fe'^fahOHHHOhOOOhOOOOHOOOOOOCDOO 

O oo < 
Purity 

coefficient. ' 

Solids in ? ? ^ ^r M . ^ T M . ^T "I" . ? . 

inipp ^* ^* ^* ^* ^ x *" ^~ ^ O*o *o t*^ u~> 10 t**. ^j* M ^~ 10 o ^* i o c^ ro vo ^* r^*vo vo 

oU3r ID 

juice. 

Sugar in 

beets | ___^ Mm ~Z..Z. MMMM 

Average 

g Weight. OZ. ^^^S^^M^SMMMMMMMNMMMN^NMK.MMM 

z Nc. analyzed 

L! O^^MO^O^OOt^^CO^POPOCOrOPOrnrOOOPOOOri^oOGOCOOOCOCOCO 

O 

y Analyzed. 

OOOOOOOUOtJtJOOOOUOOOUOOOOOUOO 

2OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 

t^, t^oo M t^ vo CO- OO ^^^^^^^^^H r^r^f~~r^Tt-r*-> HH r^rt-xn ^-T*-IHU~I - 
M 

02 Harvested. 

.tj OOOOUOOOOtJOOOUOOOOOO- 

P ______ OOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOO 

Planted. ^ >,>>>,x ss >,>, >>^ 

-o . ~ 3 ' <n 

_U( "^ ''L-' ...-.. * > *Rj'(-* 

.oS^-S ^c-S 

6 

O __ 

-,&' U ^ ^ oi ^.U U O W O U t2_53 ^H- ,33 M c/ 

c 

o 

^ .25ort 't^Mt^^t^^MGbMbb^^^^^^^cic&cbiibccijobc 

oi:rt~occcccccccccccaacccccccc 
CUcnQQ^OOOOOOOOOOQCOOOOOOOOOOO 

, B C 



M ac'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'S 'o '5 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o 'o '5 'o 'o '5 
i .S . 00000000000600006000000000 

. > M t* W W ^4 W (4 h % & M ^W W %4 M h M M M % W bl !' M W M 



iS 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



II 



. _ tn . en en en , 



0o 
u*- 1 t- 

t> o 



OOOO 
i-i^i- 



OOO 
i-.i-il- 

w $ 



o 
l- 



en t/i 
60 BO 
3 3 



O -OS 



t~.vO N O N M CN O\VO 



t^ f- N u~> N M irnO 
"J-oo ON f^ >o d moo 



POM "lOOOvO ro\O M 



OOO MOO O OOO roO 



rooo 



a o a -^ -<r t> tn i p c > <s i a oc i -o o >o ao j i <s (s 
N a o o d o ro (s a a a psi ' ' rsi o rs od o V V d 



O OC 'I- -^-00 



-^-OOOvOOONiNONOO "3-OO 



MOO forommroroooooooocoooo mrorofotxioooocooo 



ouooouoooooooooooooouoooooooooooooooo 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO2ZOOOOOOOOOO 

t-t ^t^OOOOOO t^VO - M Tj-OO ^r-NGOCOOOO ^t~O M Tt-iON ^^" w C^N t^CO t-tvO M M rO 

- 



OCJOCJUUUOOUOOO 



<J O CJ O U U O 







CQ -Q 

_ E cn Q cri Q 



In O S VJ i-4 Q 



g a G 

: o 'S 'S 



rtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrirtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrt "v B-oo t/1 T3SE>, 
ccacacaccGcccccccacccc.2j:o^ t 2' : '- : -" | urt--rtrtrt 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKcrtc^JOS fflffl W J O, O O U OH 



























in en 'f. 


en en 


en en en 


en en en 


en en en 


en 


en en en 


en en e/i 


en 


OT M ' jd' : = = c ' 


c c a a : : 




000 

333 




3 3 


OOO 

333 


OOO 

333 


OOO 

333 




3 


000 

333 


OOO 

333 




3 


1.1.11 1 i^ 


rt rt rt rt .en 

1 rrt C 


en en 

E E 



12 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[ January t 



.-. 

OOajmojOiUrta! 



.i 






11 



Purity 

coefficient. 



Solids in 
juice. 



O\ t^ M 00 

G"* O *O vv 



Sugar in 
juice. 



PO O T 
O 10 O 



Sugar in 
beets. 



Average 
weight, oz. 



MOO ropomo POO O >noo 



No. analyzed 



Analyzed. 



uoouuootjooooooooo'oo'ootjuoou o o 

o o o o a o o o a o o o O' o o- o o o o o o o o o o o 55 



PO>O PO PO m 



O~i POO >O lOCO 00 O M O 



Harvested. 



OUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 



y t; o o o o 

oooozo 



Planted. 



,,_ 

rt rtrt ^ . 03 rt 



Lab. No. 



O N MO PJ 






h^ M <O CO O *O PO M 0) ^ f^ CO N iO "^~ ^ 

TfrOTff-riTj-TfTfr-O O G^ O H N ---OCOO 
^Mi-tMMMMNNM^NtN^Ororri 



G 



fa UH 



U U U U U U U U U U 



O 



Eo 



accacaccaa 
oooooooo 



caacacccoa 
ooooooooSS 



.8 9 8.| 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 





















* 
















Cfi 


















^1 


2 
















B 


















3 

B . 


E 


B 


B 

- O 


E 
O 




B 
O 


B B 
O O 


r- <n 
5 00 O 
.2 3 ~ 


B a. a B 
.2:2.2 .2 


rt 


rt 


rt rt ' 
> > rt 


*s'l 




rt 


rt rt 




rt rt ^ rt 

*> ^~ ^ .fcj > 


31 


< 


*^ ^~*^ * . 


* *rj 




*-; 


'S "^ 


*jj __ r^ ^^ _ . ^_ *^ 




_ , i 


*3 

o 


3 3 ~ 
3 c 


in " 




1 


"3 "3 
u o 


sIlHHl 


g "3 ti "3 ^ i "3 
o o 2 <-> 


l 


'3 


3 B 


4) cS 






cS rt 


rt U '^* 4J (D C <U O 


E 3 '5- 3 E o>'3 






OOtpO 


CQfe, 




fe 




fr. pQ .^ ^Q CO O CQ O 


O tH I-H (IH O CQ fo 


: D3 



t^-lO<N w 

vO t~^O O 



O M Tt- IOVO H 00 T- CTi 



t> PO 5 rs <NI ir r* <N M fs a fs o\ a a rs o re o\ o o (NI r 



1OOOO ''J-priOOO -^"OOOOOOOOOOOO 
ON O CTioO CO mo OOO ^-O ro ro TJ- M oo 



oooooooooootjooooooooooocjooououoooooo 

zzozoozooozozoooooozooooooooooozoooo 



o o o o o o 

000000 



OOOOOOOOOOOOUUOOUOOOOOOOOOOOO 

OOOZOZOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOO 



N ' T3 <4H 

g^' 

? k> C ~ 



<DQW.-; 



& 



- 



in in 
^5 t, 



6C-* 



2 '> '> B rt ^ 

<^ B O 3 3 ^ 



rtrtrtrtrt "o '> - c'H^so&c^^t- 

B E E E E c c Bi'S'eTS'a o" ) 3.2BSSS >rt 

rtrtrtrtrt-srtg5"S_5a,o c ^;^-::>>-o 

^/-s^r\^^^-^CUDE a -'' s - l ^ < !-'^u.B>>'7rO 



5 a, 



iiS-o-og^.is 

**, Xr!#l_lC 

rt rt 



EEBBEEEBBE . 

~ '3 '3 '3 '3 '3 '3 '3 .2 .2 
'8888888 8 




BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



Il 



NTINUED. 
ounties of Sou 



" -B 

w ? 

^ I 

J < 



Fifty-eigh 



R 



Purity 

coefficient. 






> 



l 






O. 



l 

ijll 



- 

III 

3 



. 

OOnj 
CUOfo 



Cu 



Solids in i M . ? N . . 
juice. I ;r:? 2 



> o> t^oo M vo * * occ <a- 



Sugar in 

juice. % 



Sugar in 
beets. 



Average i . N . "? . . ? ^T 00 . ^ . "? 

weight, oz. l'222Si?l?'!?8r 



ui -^- M moo ro m o oo mx cc 



tfo. analyzed 



Analyzed. 



Harvested. 



Planted. 



Lab. No. 



\OvovOOOOvCOvO 



N O rn O M 



oooooooooooooooouooooOooooo 

oooooooooooooooooo ooo^ooooo 

CO O w N O c*l M t^ M M oj ro O\ OC 20 * 



ooooooo 

OOOOOOO 



oooouoooooooooooo 

OOOOOOOOCOOOOOOCO 






S S < < S < S S < 




romo m 




iacace&e-...,----J= 

|ll-S i i Hi lips 5ll||lll| 



CJ 




i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



acoSooo o S o o S S ~ o 
.2 .2 '-3 D '-3 '-3 '-3 -2 '-3 ~ .2 .2 .2 '-3 



" " 



-2 



" " ' " 



3 "3 a * "3 1 g -a 



- 

.S .1: -S Is a 

- 



a 3 "S 

'' 



M in n- >-> C~i t-^ M 



O i n ro t^ o vO N O ** vO ( 
O r^ o vo m o oo n in in 



ro moo oo O O N t-~ rooo ro m 



C~^ ro N fj\oo O^ t-4 



m ro ro\O 
M t-t 00 O\ 



tx.00 rOOO N moo O O O ro ro N t^. rooo O 
MC\i-iOfJ\MroinNOONiHromro rooo 



r^oo ro o M ro in 



rooo OO O ff. 
vO \O Ooo M 



oooooljoooooooooooooouoooooooooo 

ZOZOZO^OOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOZOOOOOO^ 



rooo oo O 



ir> 10 oo CT\ 



ZOZOZOZOOOOOOOOOCDOOO 



o mo -^-o M 



ooooo^oooo 



,-tirjM mo u~iu-> 



, rt rt /-% rt o3 rt 



"O vO ro 00 ro 
ifO oo M m 
N MNfO 




:c 



ci:caaacca 



cJi a 



OOOCJCJCJOOCJ ^^ i *';i;^w*fTOvurarowrovy 1 -' .^ u *-^ "^ c O O 

a==-J^s = i=ji : 3'i'!!'?''?' S.S S^ 22 









ooooooooo ; S rt S 3 3 3 rt rt S 3 .2 j? j I U S 9 ' 

" ' 



6C 



ses the rows were as much 
vations noted as "d" var 



s z 

rt^ 

.2 

a 3 
a ni 

rt J2 

|'l 

C .w 

D J^ 

"Sb ^ 
a 

'35 t-i 
So 
s S 

JQ M 

<u *; 

a g 
rt o 

as 

u> O. 
^ ? 

sl 

>, rt 

5 

S '? 

fl (0 

"" "S 
2 <" 
3 ^ 

^ 8 
|1 

S o- 

v- O 

ii 

<u 
^^ 

o 

"" J3 

S 

2 E 

1 S 

? *> 

i -c 

BH 



i6 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



Results from the beets grown on the Experiment Station Farm, 1897 '. 

The results shown in table 2 were obtained from beets planted May 
i ith. It will be observed that the Original Klein Wanzleben makes the best 
showing, averaging over one pound in weight, about 15 per cent, sugar 
in the beets, and 85 purity coefficient. The Improved Klein Wanzleben 
and the Short French gave very satisfactory results, while the Long 
French were of only medium quality. 

It should be understood, however, that these results are from a 
single year's experiments, and are not to be considered as final. 

TABLE 2. ANALYSES OF SUGAR BEETS FROM STATION FARM, VARIETY TESTS. 



r 


a 


> 


> 


Per cent. 







9 


P 


a 


< 




o 




O* 


1-1 


V 


o n 






01 ^ 




2 
O p 


CD 


*< 

N 


"* 


Sugar 


Sugar Solids 


L 


Variety. 


-* 








in 


in in 






^ 


I 






beets 


juice, juice. 


D ^< 




34 1 


Oct. 29 


Oct. 30 


13.0 


15-5 


16.3 


I9.I 


85-3 


Klein Wanzleben 


385 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


14.8 


14.8 


15.6 


18.4 


84.8 


Klein Wanzleben. 


386 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


23-7 


M-3 


i5-i 


17.9 


84-5 


Klein Wanzleben. 


Afe. . . . 






17.2 


14.9 


15-7 


I8. 5 


84.9 


Klein Wanzleben. 


342 


Oct. 29 


Oct. 30 


16.3 


13-6 


J 4-3 


17.4 


82.2 


Imp. Klein Wanzleben. 


387 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


J 4-5 


14.1 


14.8 


17.2 


86 2 


Imp. Klein Wanzleben. 


388 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


18.3 


13.7 


14.5 


17.0 


85.3 


Imp. Klein Wanzleben. 


Are 






16.4 


13.8 


M-5 


17.2 


84.6 


Imp. Klein Wanzleben. 


343 


Oct. 29 


Oct. 30 


12.5 


12.9 


13.6 


I6. 5 


82.0 


Short French. 


389 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


14.3 


13.7 


14.5 


17.0 


85.3 


Short French. 


390 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


17.2 


12.8 


13-5 


15-9 


84.9 


Short French. 


Av . . . . 






*4-7 


13-1 


13-9 


I6. 5 


84.1 


Short French. 


344 


Oct. 29 


Oct. 30 


u. 6 


ii .0 


11. 6 


M-5 


80.0 


Long French. 


391 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


i3o 


12.6 


13-3 


16.2 


82.3 


Long French 


392 


Nov. 5 


Nov. 6 


17.0 


10.5 


ii .0 


13.8 


80.0 


Long French. 


A 






14.0 


11.4 


12. O 


14.8 


80.8 


Long French. 



Difficulty was experienced in selecting samples from a growing crop 
that should prove to be typical ones after the crop was fully matured. 
As a matter of fact, the earlier specimens proved to be too small, and 
uniform weights were not secured. There is therefore more increase in 
sugar content during the later days of maturity than the tables would 
indicate. 

Upon the matter of season, it may be said that if 1897 was in any 

way peculiar as regards beets it was because of abnormally low rainfall 

in August, a circumstance that was unfavorable rather than otherwise 

to both yield and quality. A table of meteorological data is appended 

v (p. 5) for the benefit of those desiring to make a comparison of seasons. 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 17 

Table 3 shows the results obtained from an experiment to deter- 
mine the quality of the beets at different times of harvesting. The 
plat one by six rods selected for the experiment had been planted May 
2ist with the Original Klein Wanzleben variety. 

The first samples were harvested and analyzed September i4th, 
samples being taken thereafter at regular intervals of one week for a 
period of ten weeks. Four samples of five beets each were taken at 
each time. 

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS OF 1897. 

To make an average of the results of all samples analyzed or even 
of all samples from any special section would be manifestly misleading, 
because every sample must be studied by itself, and in the light of all 
data given regarding conditions under which the beets were grown. 

It maybe said, however, that the season's experiments demonstrate 
conclusively that it is possible to produce beets of excellent quality in 
all of the general sections of the state. In most cases the beets returned 
for analysis were above the grade required for factory use, and where 
this is not the case the reason for the poor quality is usually clearly 
apparent from the data at hand regarding the conditions under which 
the beets were grown. 

INJURIES. 

A few cases of injury by insects have been reported, all by the 
striped potato beetle (not the Colorado beetle) or by the false chinch 
bug (Nysius Angustatus) and not the true chinch bug which is limited 
to the grass family. Experience in Nebraska has found the crop to be 
peculiarly free from insect and fungus injuries. 



ILLINOIS AS A SUGAR PRODUCING STATE. 

A variety of conditions determine the sugar producing capacity of 
a state. The business is one calling for expensive manufacturing plants 
and for most intensive methods in agriculture. While the plant should 
be so established as to admit of expansion, yet from the nature of the 
business it cannot begin on a small scale and establish itself by degrees 
as conditions improve and experience is gained. It must begin full- 
fledged and the magnitude of the enterprise, even at the minimum, and 
the variety of the interests involved, admit of few mistakes and no 
positively unfavorable conditions. Every circumstance bearing upon 



1 8 BULLETIN NO. 49, [January, 

TABLE 3. ANALYSES OF SUGAR BEETS FROM STATION FARM, TIME OF HARVEST. 



Laboratory 


Harvested and 


Ave. wt. 




Per cent. 




Purity 


No. 


analyzed. 


oz. 


Sugar in 
beets. 


Sugar in 
juice. 


Solids in 
juice. 


coefficient. 


i 

2 

3 
4 


Sept. 14 
Sept. 14 
Sept. 14 
Sept. 14 


10.8 
10.6 

8.8 

9-2 


13.2 
13.8 
13.7 
13.4 


13-9 
14.6 
14.4 
14.1 


16.8 

17.5 
16.8 
16.7 


82.5 
83.1 
85.6 
84.1 


Average .... 




9-9 


13.5 


14-3 


17.0 


83.8 


5 
6 

7 
8 


Sept. 21 
Sept. 21 
Sept. 21 
Sept. 21 


II .2 

9-4 

7.6 

9-2 


1-41 

14.7 
13.4 
13.7 


14.8 
15-5 
14.1 
14.4 


17.9 
18.2 
17.2 
17.2 


82.9 
85.0 
82.3 
84.0 


Average 




9-4 


14.0 


M-7 


17.6 


83.6 


9 

10 

ii 

12 


Sept. 28 
Sept. 28 
Sept. 28 
Sept. 28 


9-4 

12.8 

9-4 

IO.O 


14.1 
13.6 
13.7 

14.8 


14.8 

M-3 
14.4 
15-5 


17.8 

17.3 
16.9 

18.2 


83.2 
82.6 
85.1 
85.4 


Average .... 




10.4 


14.1 


14.8 


17.6 


84.1 


13 

14 
15 
16 


Oct. 5 
Oct. 5 
Oct. 5 
Oct. 5 


10.8 

14.2 

12.6 
12. 


15.3 
14.9 
13.6 
14.5 


16.1 

15-7 
M-3 
15-3 


19.2 

18.9 
17.1 

18.2 


83.5 
83.0 
83.6 
84.1 


Average .... 




12.4 


14.6 


15.4 


18.4 


83.6 


17 
18 

19 
20 


Oct. 12 
Oct. 12 
Oct. 12 
Oct. 12 


12.6 

14.6 

12.8 

13.2 


13.2 
13.4 
14.0 
14.3 


13.9 
14.1 
14.8 
15.0 


16.7 
16.7 

17.3 
17.6 


83.4 
84.2 
85.1 
85.1 


Average . . . 




13.3 


13.7 


Mo 


17.1 


84.5 


21 

22 
23 
2 4 


Oct. 19 
Oct. 19 
Oct. 19 
Oct. 19 


13.8 

12.0 
19.6 

16.6 


13.6 
15.2 
14.2 
14.0 


14.4 
16.0 
14.9 
M-7 


17.3 
19.1 
17.4 
17.3 


83.0 
83.8 
85.6 
85.0 


Average 




I 5-5 


14.3 


15-0 


17.8 


84.4 


25 
26 

27 
28 


Oct. 26 
Oct. 26 
Oct. 26 
Oct. 26 


12.6 

13.4 
9-8 
13-4 


14.3 
13.4 
14.2 
14.0 


15-1 
14.1 
14.9 
14.8 


18.0 
17.0 

17.5 
16.7 


83.8 
83.1 

85.2 
88.6 


Average .... 




12.3 


14.0 


14.7 


17-3 


85.2 


29 
30 
3i 
32 


Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


13-0 
15-6 

12.6 

15.6 


13.5 
13.8 
14.7 
14.7 


M-3 

14.6 

15-5 
15-5 


17-4 
17-5 
18.4 
17.9 


81.9 
83.2 

84.2 
86.6 


Average .... 




14.2 


14.2 


15.0 


17.8 


84.0 


33 

34 
35 
36 


Nov. 9 
Nov. 9 

Nov. 9 , 
Nov. 9 


14.8 

12.8 

13.6 

12.8 


14.1 
16.1 
15.3 
15.4 


14.9 

16.9 
16.1 
16.2 


17.9 
19.8 
18.8 
18.6 


82.8 
85.3 
85.6 
87.0 


Average .... 




13.5 


15.2 


16.0 


18.8 


85.2 


37 
38 
39 
40 


Nov. 16 

Nov. 16 
Nov. 16 
Nov. 16 


19.2 
19.8 

17.8 

19.2 


14.3 
13.4 
14.3 
14.4 


15.0 

14.1 
I5-I 
15-2 


17.6 
17.0 
17.8 
18.1 


85.5 
82.9 
84.8 
84.1 


Average . . . 




19.0 


14 1 


14.9 


17.6 


84.3 



1898.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



TABLE 4 ANALYSES OF SUGAR BEETS FROM STATION FARM. DEPTH OF PLOWING. 



Laboratory. 
No. 


Harvested. 


Analyzed. 


Average wt. 
oz. 


Per cent. 


Purity 
coefficient. 




Sugar 
in 
beets. 


Sugar 
in 
juice. 


Solids 
in 
juice. 

17.0 
16.7 
17.5 
17.9 


26 
28 
30 
32 


Oct. 26 
Oct. 26 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 26 
Oct 26 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


13-4 
13-4 
15-6 
15.6 


13.4 
14.0 
13.8 
14.7 


14.1 
14.8 
14.6 
15-5 


83.1 

88.6 
83.2 
86.6 


Plowed 8 inches. 
Plowed 8 inches. 
Plowed 8 inches. 
Plowed 8 inches. 


Aw.... 






14-5 


14.0 


14.8 


17-3 


85.4 


Plowed 8 inches. 


327 
328 

359 
360 

A~777 

325 
326 

361 
362 


Oct. 29 
Oct. 29 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 29 
Oct. 29 
Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


M-7 

12.8 
12.8 
20 2 


15.5 
15.9 
15.2 
14.0 


16.3 
16.8 
16.0 
14.8 


18.8 
19.7 
18.8 
17.4 


86.9 
85.2 
85.1 
84.8 


Plowed 10 inches. 
Plowed 10 inches. 
Plowed 10 inches. 
Plowed 10 inches. 




Oct. 29 
Oct. 29 
Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


I5- 1 


15.2 


16.0 


18.7 


85.5 


Plowed 10 inches. 


Oct. 29 
Oct. 29 

Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


I8. 3 
12.7 

14-7 
2O.7 


14.4 
14.6 
14.7 
14.0 


15-2 
15-4 
15.5 
14.8 


18.5 
18.4 
19.0 
17.9 


82.2 
83.7 
81.6 
82.4 


Subsoiled 16 inches. 
Subsoiled 16 inches. 
Subsoiled 16 inches. 
Subsoiled 16 inches. 


Aw. . . . 






16.6 


14.4 


15-2 


18.5 


82.5 


Subsoiled 16 inches. 



These beets were grown from Improved Klein Wanzleben seed, planted May 
2ist. The results show no marked influence from the different depths of plowing, 
the lower purity coefficient of the samples from the subsoiled plat being the most 
noticeable. 

TABLE 5. ANALYSES OF SUGAR BEETS FROM STATION FARM. DISTANCE 

BETWEEN Rows. 





P 
o- 


K 

P 

1 


> 

D 
P 


> 

01 


P 


er cent 






g hd 




2 

o 3 

o 

-! 
X 


< 

1 

ST 
p< 


V! 

N 

n 
P 


8 3 

orq 
CD 

g 


Sugar 
in 
beets. 


Sugar 
in 
juice. 


Solids 
in 
juice. 


3S 
o ~- 
n'^< 
a 


between rows. 


329 
363 
364 


Oct. 29 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 30 
Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


ii. 5 
14.0 

21.2 


16.6 
15.1 
13.5 


17-5 
15-9 
14.2 


20. 6 
18.7 
16.8 


84.8 
85.0 
84.1 


15 inches. 
15 inches. 
15 inches. 


A?e 






I 5 .6 


15.1 


15.9 


18.7 


84.6 


15 inches. 


330 
365 
366 


Oct. 29 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 30 
Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


13.7 
14-7 
20.8 


14.4 
15.4 
13.9 


15-2 
16.2 
14.6 


18.5 
19-3 
17.9 


82.2 
84.2 
81.8 


18 inches. 
18 inches. 
18 inches. 


An 






16.4 


14.6 


15-3 


18.6 


82.7 


18 inches. 


33i 

367 
368 


Oct. 29 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 30 
Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


16.8 
15-5 

2O. 


13.1 
13.7 
14.0 


13-8 
14.5 
14.7 


I7-I 
17.9 
17-4 


80.7 
81.0 
84.4 


22 inches. 
22 inches. 
22 inches. 


A 






17.4 


13.6 


14-3 


17-5 


82.0 


22 inches. 


332 
369 
37o 


Oct. 29 
Nov. 2 
Nov. 2 


Oct. 30 

Nov. 3 
Nov. 3 


16.8 
13-7 
18.3 


12.1 
12.5 
12.4 


12.7 
13.2 
I3-I 


16.1 
16.2 
16.1 


79.0 
81.1 
81.1 


28 inches. 
28 inches. 
28 inches. 


Are 






16.3 


12.3 


13 


16.1 


80.4 


28 inches. 


333 

334 


Oct. 29 
Oct. 29 


Oct. 30 
Oct. 30 


14-5 

8.4 


12.5 
13.1 


13.2 
13-8 


16.4 
17.0 


80.5 

81.2 


36 inches. 
44 inches. 



These beets were grown from Original Klein Wanzleben seed, planted May nth. 
The results show a very marked influence of the distance between rows. As the 
distance is increased the per cent, of sugar and the purity coefficient decrease. By 
reference to Nos. 333 and 334 it will be observed that even beets of small size are of 
comparatively poor quality when grown in rows wide apart. 



20 BULLETIN NO. 49, [January, 



the success *of such an enterprise should be known and estimated as far 
as possible in advance. Moreover, because of the bulk of the crop and 
the cost of transportation, the factory must be situated very near the 
beet producing region, and may not, as in the flouring business, be located 
in a distant city. This brings grower and manufacturer close together 
and affords opportunity for endless friction. Here is large capital tied 
up in an expensive plant that is idle for two-thirds of the year yet seek- 
ing profitable returns in amounts so great as to attract attention among 
the growers, some of whom through ignorance or other cause are cer- 
tain to incur heavy losses. Friendly relations between these diverse 
interests are absolutely essential to success, and they can be maintained 
only when the most exact information generally prevails touching every 
detail. No mistakes must be made in choosing location, in drawing 
contracts between grower and factory, or in the process of growing, or 
of manufacturing. At the outset, therefore, no item involved is too 
trivial for careful consideration, and before this new enterprise comes 
into the state every factor, favorable and unfavorable, must be reviewed. 

QUALITY OF BEETS. Experiments conducted during the past season 
as reported in the tables of this bulletin show conclusively that beets of 
excellent quality may be produced in all the general sections of the 
state. It is not surprising that some of the samples analyzed were 
below grade when it is remembered that often the beets were grown in 
single rows and always without expert knowledge of the needs of the 
crop. As conditions were, nearly every locality returned many excellent 
beets, and it is not too much to conclude that the soil and climate of 
Illinois are eminently adapted to the growth of an excellent quality of 
beet. This would seem to be at variance with the experience at Chats- 
worth and Freeport some 30 to 35 years ago when failure was due to a 
variety of causes, prominent among which may be mentioned: lack of 
knowledge of practical details on the part of both grower and manu- 
facturer; lack of support on the part of growers; lack of the im- 
proved methods of today. Now, however, the beet has been improved 
by selection and breeding until it carries a higher per cent, of sugar, 
and with the diffusion process, the relative amount of sugar recovered 
is vastly greater than before. Under present conditions the deep prairie 
soils are even preferable to sandy soils, because of increased yield, and 
the sugar industry is coming into the richer lands. 

YIELD. There is abundant proof that Illinois can produce large 
yields of beets. Ten to fourteen tons per acre of marketable beets 
were grown the past season at the Station farm under ordinary treat- 
ment, with no special tools and upon land that has been cropped for 
many years. Reports of much higher yields have come from many 
sections of the state. While 12^ tons per acre would be a fair average 



1898.] fHE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 21 

for Illinois, no good farmer would be satisfied with less than 15 tons. 
Experience confirms the statement that with beets, as with other crops, 
other things equal, the better the soil the better the yield; and there is 
every reason to know that the rich prairie soils of Illinois are especially 
adapted to heavy yields of sugar beets. But they must be crowded 
until the individual beets are reduced in size from a possible ten or 
twelve pounds to the proper weight of one and a half to two pounds. 

LABOR. Beets cannot be raised with the tools or the methods that 
are successful with Indian corn. After making use of the best special 
machinery there yet remains a large amount of hand labor, and this 
must be performed in case of large areas not by the regular force upon 
the farm, but by a larger number employed for the special purpose. 
This calls for an additional force of laborers during the growing and 
harvesting seasons, and indicates the neighborhood of a city or a consider- 
able town as the most likely source of the hand labor involved in the 
production of a crop of sugar beets. It would be little else than folly 
to undertake the growth of beets on a commercial scale, except by aid 
of such labor as has been indicated, and even then good management 
will be needed to keep the cost of production down to the standard of 
$32.00 per acre. 

COAL AND LIME. Large quantities of both coal and lime are im- 
perative for factory use, and the nearer the actual supply the less the 
cost of transportation. 

There are 874 coal mines in the state with a yearly output of some- 
thing over seventeen million tons. This abundant supply of soft coal over 
nearly all the state south of the Illinois river, together with excellent 
facilities for cheap transportation over railroads free from heavy grades, 
brings the cost exceedingly low and prices range from a dollar a ton up. 

Almost any coal will answer the purpose, but the lime must be com- 
paratively free from soluble minerals, because soluble salts in either lime 
or water have the same effect as when in beets, which is to prevent the 
crystallization, and therefore to cause the loss of nearly or quite their 
full equivalent of sugar. The state is nearly everywhere underlaid by 
coal and lime, but in the absence of a state agricultural and economic 
survey a letter of inquiry, touching the Illinois supply of coal and lime 
was addressed by the Director to Professor C. W. Rolfe, Geologist of 
the University. His reply is quoted in full. 

URBANA, Jan. 19, 1898. 
Professor E. Davenport, 

Director Experiment Station, 

DEAR SIR: Referring to your recent inquiry regarding the limestone and coal 
deposits of our state which could be made available for the manufacture of sugar 
from beets, will say, I deeply regret my inability to give you the specific information 
you desire. 



22 BULLETIN NO. 49, 

The geologic investigations which have heretofore been undertaken by the 
state were confined almost exclusively to stratigraphy and paleontology, leaving our 
natural resources practically untouched. I earnestly hope this will be remedied in 
the near future. 

First as to coal. If a line be drawn from Danville, Vermilion County, through 
Paxton, Ford County, Wilmington, Will County, Rock Island, Rock Island County, 
thence south following the general direction of the Mississippi, but at a distance of 
say 25 miles eastward to the north line of Union County, thence east to the state 
line, all counties, with very few exceptions, included in the enclosed area, would be 
able to furnish coal of suitable quality and in sufficient quantity to meet all probable 
demands, and to counties without this area our many lines of railroad are able to 
supply coal almost as cheaply. 

Second as to limestone. Very few analyses of Illinois limestones have been 
made, but basing an opinion on these, and a considerable field acquaintance with the 
rocks of the state, I do not hesitate to express the opinion that accessible deposits 
which will meet your requirements, can be found in at least four-fifths of the counties. 
I append a short list of typical outcrops which I feel sure would meet your demands. 

Trenton Limestone (Blue), Galena, Jo Daviess County. 

Trenton Limestone, Thebes, Alexander County. 

Niagara Limestone, Grafton, Jersey County. 

Niagara Limestone, Joliet, Will County. 

Hamilton Limestone (Gray), Rock Island County. 

Oriskany Limestone, Jackson County. 

Burlington Limestone, Gladstone, Henderson County. 

Burlington Limestone, Quincy, Adams County. 

Keokuk Limestone, Nauvoo, Hancock County. 

St. Louis Limestone, Rosiclare, Hardin County. 

Chester Limestone, Chester, Randolph County. 

There are also many deposits in the coal measures which would be suited to 
this use. Respectfully submitted, 

C. W. ROLFE, Professor of Geology. 

WATER. Immense quantities of water are required at the factory 
for washing beets, and this maybe afforded by a river or a small stream. 
The most cursory glance at the map will show the. state to be abundantly 
supplied with running water. But for the work of diffusion an abund- 
ant supply of comparatively pure water is required, and the following 
letter is in reply to a request for explicit information concerning the 
character of the water supply of the state: 

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, January 20, 1898. 
Professor Eugene Davenport, 

Director Agricultural Experiment Station, 

DEAR SIR: In reply to your query regarding the water supplies of Illinois 
with respect to the use of water in the manufacture of sugar from beets, I would say 
that in most regions of the state water that is sufficiently pure for this purpose is 
available. In some districts of the state waters drawn from the deeper wells are 
charged with a considerable amount of chlorides and, in some cases, of sulphates; 
but through most of the sections of the state waters drawn from drift wells and also 
those drawn from wells in rock are comparatively free from sulphates or chlorides, 
the mineral matters consisting mainly of carbonates of calcium and magnesium, and 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 23 

would be well suited to use in the manufacture of beet sugar. Some deeper drift 
wells yield waters which are charged with considerable quantities of organic matters, 
but these are present in less quantity than is commonly found in surface water, that 
is, river and lake waters; consequently in my opinion they would be serviceable in 
this manufacture. Yours very truly, 

ARTHUR W. PALMER, 

Professor of Chemistry. 

TRANSPORTATION AND MARKETS. Besides enjoying the advantages 
of four navigable rivers, Illinois is better supplied with railroads than 
is any other state in the Union. One hundred and nine separate lines 
are operated within the state with an aggregate length of over 10,500 
miles, and with 2,740 stations. This vast mileage is in the hands of 
about sixty great companies whose trunk lines communicate with the 
East, and with the West, with the Great Lakes, and with the Gulf, and 
focus at the great trade centers, Chicago and St. Louis. Of the 102 
counties of the state, but three are without railroad facilities; two of 
these lie upon the Ohio river and one between the Mississippi and the 
Illinois. 

ADVANTAGES UNEXCELLED. With an inexhaustible supply of coal 
and lime well distributed over the state; with numberless rivers and 
small streams everywhere, and with an abundance of excellent well- 
water; with unequalled river and railroad transportation; with easy and 
direct access to two of the greatest trade centers, and with its natural 
relations to both the Gulf and the Great Lakes, it would seem that Illi- 
nois possesses ideal factory conditions. 

That the soil and the climate of Illinois are adapted to the pro- 
duction of large yields of beets of excellent quality is abundantly shown 
by the experiments of the past year, which are held to be conclusive 
for the northern and central sections, and for a large portion of the 
southern section. 

While the laboring population of the state is at present located 
with reference to other industries, there is every reason to suppose that 
in Illinois as elsewhere it would be attracted to the beet fields at the 
proper season. The neighborhood of the larger coal mines would 
furnish ideal conditions for hand labor in beet raising. 

WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE. But one thing remains, and that is 
the education of the people in the details of a new industry, with all 
that this implies. The people who are to grow beets must learn how to 
produce profitable crops from the very first, and friendly relations must 
be established and maintained between grower and factory in order that 
temporary or permanent failure may be averted. Experience elsewhere 
has shown the importance of a good start, and the disaster of hasty 
procedure at the outset; it has everywhere demonstrated the absolute 
necessity of accurate knowledge well diffused throughout the community. 



24 BULLETIN NO. 49, [January, 

The growing of sugar beets is eminently intensive agriculture. The 
methods and machinery with which our people are best acquainted and 
the experience gained from growing corn will not avail. Many of the 
fundamentals are entirely opposite, as for example, that the largest beet 
is not the best one. The business needs special tools, special methods, 
and special attention. Large values will go into the crop at best, and, 
if not well bestowed, loss will surely follow, and the grower will tend to 
blame either the business or the factory. 

It is not that the beet sugar business is extremely hazardous, nor 
that the margin of profit is narrow. Well conducted, the business is 
very profitable to both grower and manufacturer under anything like 
present conditions. But our people are not as yet acquainted with in- 
tensive agriculture, and the necessary heavy outlay per acre. Neither 
are our farmers accustomed to close contact with extensive manufactur- 
ing plants employing large capital. This new knowledge must be 
gained and these new relations become habitual, and nothing but the 
most careful and concerted action will quickly and smoothly accomplish 
the end. 

WHAT is NEEDED. Not state bounty, nor public patronage, but 
united community interest, and detailed information. The present 
tariff makes conditions exceedingly favorable for the introduction of 
this new industry into the United States, and experience has shown 
that to enlist public favor in the way of bounty or other advantage is 
not only unnecessary under present favorable trade conditions, but that 
it only serves, speedily to draw down upon the infant industry the 
public wrath, and to introduce a third party that is disposed to assume 
the attitude of a beguiled and disaffected patron. The business needs 
not special favor but special care and special knowledge, and this care 
must be observed, and this knowledge must be acquired by the growers 
themselves. 

Moreover, individual exertion is of little moment except to arouse 
and engage the community or at least enough of the community to sup- 
port a factory. This factory should be built with a view to enlarge- 
ment as the business expands, but it must not be built upon the smallest 
possible plan for then the expense of management will surely absorb all 
profits. In all this matter the community must organize and work 
together, and when once the contracts are drawn every man should 
render loyal support to the capital that has been invested. 

COST AND PROFIT IN GROWING BEETS. 

When it became apparent that beets of good quality could be pro- 
duced in Illinois the writer was authorized to visit Grand Island and 
Norfolk, Nebraska, to secure the most trustworthy information possible 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 25- 

relative to the commercial success of the industry. This question must 
be considered in the light of both the grower and the manufacturer, for 
the interests between them must necessarily be mutual. Neither can 
succeed without the other, consequently there must be a profit for both; 
and unless these profits can be shown to be comparatively large from 
the outset, neither the farmer nor the capitalist, if judicious, will venture 
upon a new industry in which, at best, experience must be gained at the 
expense -of profits. Nor will they continue in the business, if from 
want of proper methods, or other causes, the first experiences are dis- 
astrous. 

Through the kindness of Manager Ferrar of the Grand Island 
Factory, the Station is able to insert the following contract which is the 
basis of operations at both the Nebraska factories, and does not d44fer 
materially from those in use at other American factories: 

To raise rich beets it is absolutely necessary to have a full stand, therefore you 
cannot plant too much seed. It is unadvisable to silo beets before October i5th, but 
all beets if ripe should be in silo by November ist. 

FARMER'S CONTRACT TO FACTORY. 

Acres. 

No 189.... 

For and in consideration of One Dollar, in hand paid, receipt whereof is hereby 

acknowledged, I, do hereby agree with the Oxnard Beet 

Sugar Co. to plant, cultivate and harvest to the best of my ability and in a husband- 
like manner acres of sugar beets on the farm occupied by me, located. . . . 

in Section Township Range 

County of , and upon the following terms and conditions, viz: 

That seed or planting the aforesaid acreage is to be furnished to me at 15 cents 
per pound F.O.B. Grand Island, and I hereby agree that I will not sell or give away 
any such seed, and that I will deliver all beets grown therefrom at the factory at such 
times as agreed upon in this contract, with tops closely and squarely cut off at the 
base of bottom leaf, said beets to be free from dirt and in a marketable condition, for 
the sum of $4.00 per ton, provided, however, that said beets shall contain not less 
than 12 per cent, sugar to the weight of the beet with a purity coefficient of 80, and 
the sum of $4 oo per ton will also be paid for all beets containing not less than 14 
per cent, sugar regardless of purity and for all beets of 13 per cent, sugar and a 
purity coefficient not lower than 78. 

That all seed furnished for the replanting of beets under this contract shall be at 
a price of 15 cents per pound, F. O. B. Grand Island, and the amount due for seed 
shall be paid for by me in cash or be deducted from the first payment for beets de- 
livered. 

That to secure a full stand I will plant on the acreage specified all the seed 
furnished by the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co., same not to exceed twenty pounds per acre. 

That all beets must be kept free from frost, it being distinctly understood that 
the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. will only accept beets that are in a sound condition at the 
time of shipment. 



26 BULLETIN NO. 49, \_January, 

That beets are to be delivered at the option of the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. upon 
reasonable notice from the Company, on its order, at any time prior to October i5th. 
After that date the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. shall have the option of ordering in beets 
as they may require, provided, however, that they order for shipment of the beets so 
grown, in all, not less than four tons of beets per acre of the acreage to be harvested, 
previous to the 5th day of November, 1898, and not less than six tons per acre pre- 
vious to the ist day of January, 1899, and not less than eight tons per acre previous 
to the ist day of February, 1899, and all the remainder previous to the aoth day of 
February, 1899. 

That should any beets grown under this contract fail to come up to the above 
standards for which $4 oo per ton is to be- paid, they will then be paid for at the fol- 
lowing scheduled prices: 

For all Beets containing not less than 

13 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 76, I & 

, .. ~ . , ( ff3-75 P er ton - 

12 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 79, ) 

13 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 75, ) 

12 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 78, j 

13 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 74, ] 

12 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 76, V $3.25 per ton. 
TI per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 78, 

13 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 73, j 

12 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 74, V $3.00 per ton. 

ii per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 75, 
For all Beets below 13 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 73, j 

12 per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 74, V $2. 50 per ton. 
ii per cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 75, ) 

However, no beetswill be received at the factory containing less than 10.5 per 
cent, sugar and a purity coefficient of 73. 

It being distinctly understood that said low grade beets shall not be delivered by 
me until after the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. shall have worked up all beets that reach 
the required standard of 12 per cent, of sugar with a purity of 80, unless the Oxnard 
Beet Sugar Co. should otherwise direct, and that said Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. shall 
not be required to accept any portion of said beets containing less than 10.5 per cent, 
of sugar and a purity coefficient of 73. 

That all analyses made by the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. shall be accepted as final, 
it being understood, however, that the farmers are at liberty to select and employ at 
their own expense any competent chemist to whom the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. shall 
give free access to their beet laboratory for the purpose of checking the test made by 
the chemist of the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. 

That I will notify the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. after my beets are laid by but not 
later than August isth, how many acres of beets I will have to harvest the next fall. 

No agent of the Oxnard Beet Sugar Co. has authority to change any of the terms 
or conditions of this contract. 



It should be pointed out here that the terms of the contracts are 
entirely in the hands of the factories and presumably satisfactory to 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 27 

them. Can the farmer meet the conditions thus imposed by the 
factories one year with another and have a fair margin of profit left? The 
following statements are by reliable men whom the writer interviewed 
personally: 

Mr. H. A. Pasewalk, Norfolk, Neb., is an implement dealer who 
grows beets because there is money in the business. He raised 80 acress 
of beets in 1896 and 90 acres in 1897. His statement of average cost 
and profit per acre is as follows: 

Plowing , $i . 50 

Fitting ground and planting i . 50 

20 Ib. of seed @ 15 cents per Ib 3.00 

Bunching and thinning 4-5O 

Two hoeings 4.00 

Four cultivations i . 50 

Lifting 1.25 

Topping 4 . oo 

Hauling 10 tons beets 3 miles 5 . oo 

Siloing one-half of crop 75 

Rent of land 5 .00 



Total cost per acre. , $32 . oo 

Gross receipts from 10 tons of beets @ $4.00 per ton 40.00 



Net profit $8.00 

Mr. Edmund Starke, of Grand Island, Nebraska, grows approxi- 
mately 128 acres each year. The following is the average cost of grow- 
ing, and profit for the five years from 1892-1897 in which he has been 
engaged in the business: 

Plowing one acre $ i . 50 

Fitting ground and planting i . oo 

20 Ib. of seed @ 15 cents 3.00 

Bunching and thinning - 5.00 

Four hoeings 5.00 

Six cultivations i . 50 

Lifting, topping, hauling (3 miles), siloing one-half of crop 10.00 

Rent of land 4.00 



Total cost for one acre $32 . oo 

Gross receipts from 12^2 tons of beets @ $4.00 per ton $50.00 



Net profit $18.00 

Mr. Henry C. Giese, who has grown beets for the Grand Island 
Factory since it was erected in 1890, gives the cost and profit per acre 
for the past season's crop of 25 acres: 



28 BULLETIN NO. 49. [ January ', 

Plowing $ i .00 

Preparing 'ground 50 

Planting 50 

20 Ib. seed @ 15 cents 3 . oo 

Bunching and thinning 4 . oo 

Two hoeings 5 

Pulling weeds i 

Four cultivations i 

Lifting, throwing in piles and topping 4 .75 

Siloing one-half of crop i . 50 

Rent of land 6 . oo 

Delivering 12.6 tons one mile @ 25 cents 3 .15 



Total cost per acre $31.90 

Receipts from 12.6 tons @ $4 oo $50.00 



Net profit per acre $18.10 

Yields the past season were lighter than usual. In 1896 Mr. Giese's 
beets yielded 16*4 tons, bringing him $66.00 per acre. In 1895 he 
raised 19 tons per acre, and owing to the bounty on sugar that year in 
Nebraska, the factory paid $5.00 per ton, and Mr. Giese received $95.00 
per acre. Mr. Giese's corn crop on adjoining land was yielding 50 
bushels per acre, which was better than the average, and the market 
price at that time was 16 cents per bushel, bringing him $8.00 per acre, 
or a little more than the rent. 

The above cases are not exceptional and many others could be 
cited showing essentially the same results. 

The Sass Brothers grew 115 acres this year which yielded 10 tons 
per acre. They estimate the cost of growing, in case land is rented 
and all labor hired, at from $26.00 to $30.00 per acre, varying some- 
what with the condition of the ground, freedom from weeds, etc. This 
year they will receive $4,600 for their crop, and will pay out for 
expenses $1,265, leaving $3,335 for their own labor, rent, etc. They 
were thoroughly acquainted with the business, and as a consequence 
expenses were reduced to a minimum. 

The crop of 1896 was unusually large, and several railroad agents, 
traveling men, etc., rented land and went into the business as a specula- 
tion. The following is the result of such an investment by Dr. Finch and 
Wm. Murr, the former a physician, and the latter a traveling man, who 
rented 128 acres near Grand Island: 

Rent of land $ 5 . oo 

Plowing 1.25 

Harrowing, rolling, and-planting i . 50 

Thinning, bunching and three hoeings 13.50 

Pulling and topping 4 5 

Lifting 1.25 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 29 

Siloing if delivering late 2 50 

Hauling 10 tons 4 miles @ 70 cents 7.00 

Seed 20 Ib. @ 15 cents 3.00 



Total cost of one acre $39 . 50 

Receipts from 10 tons @ $4.00 $40.00 



Net proceeds $ .50 

These were the only growers whom I met who were not anxious to 
continue the business. 

An opportunity was offered to converse with a large .number of 
beet growers, some at their farms, but more at the factory, as over 200 
loads were coming in daily. To the .question "Why are you growing 
beets?" one of three answers was invariably given: ist. "Because it is 
the surest crop the farmer can raise;" ad, "it is a cash crop and the 
price is practically fixed;" and 3d, "there is more money in it than in 
any other crop." These statements are borne out by the fact that the 
beet acreage has so rapidly increased at both the Nebraska factories 
that there is sharp competition among the farmers to secure contracts for 
growing beets and either factory could contract for twice the beets it is 
able to handle. Again, land values and rents have more than doubled 
since 1891 in the region tributary to both factories. 

The exceptionally prosperous condition of the beet sugar sections 
is well recognized by traveling men. During the past season $160,000 
was paid to the farmers of each of the above communities for 40,000 
tons of beets, and this does not include the $40,000 paid to local 
laborers in and about the factories. 

As to yields and cost of growing, certainly 'Illinois will be at no 
disadvantage. While the average rainfall and temperature for the grow- 
ing season is about the same as for Grand Island and Norfolk, yet Illi- 
nois has much less to fear from drouth and hot destructive winds than 
has Nebraska. At the Experiment Station under very ordinary condi- 
tions the average yield was 12 tons per acre of properly topped beets, 
ready for the factory. While the reports from growers in all sections 
show that this is not excessive, yet many have greatly exceeded this 
amount. In this connection it will be of interest to know that in 
Germany the average yield is about 12 tons per acre for the whole 
country. 

Wherever the industry has become established in a community in 
the United States, and the many details of beet culture are understood 
by the farmers, the profits are comparatively large. But it should be 
clearly pointed out in this connection that the details of beet culture 
are many, and must be thoroughly understood. The haphazard methods 
so often practiced in corn culture would be fatal in the case of beets. 



30 BULLETIN NO. 49. 

Culture is everything. Excellent beets may be grown on a great variety 
of soils, but they will not endure poor culture. Poor soil, a hard or wet 
subsoil, too deep planting, uneven stand, fresh or coarse manure, im- 
proper or untimely thinning or weeding, and insufficient cultivation and 
hoeing are all disastrous to good yield and high sugar content. But 
the beet sugar industry carries into a community, or rather builds up, 
better agricultural practices. A careful study of the effects of the industry 
upon a community brings out clearly the fact that other crops instead 
of being driven out, are on the contrary, increased in both total produc- 
tion and in yield per acre. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUGAR BEET CULTURE. 

The following instructions from the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company 
are quoted entire as being a brief and most complete statement of the 
essentials of beet culture. This is especially valuable as it emanates 
from a commercial source, and is based upon seven years of suc- 
cessful experience under conditions very similar to our own. 

SOIL. 

Never select poor land. Use the best piece available on your farm, for the 
richer the soil the better the crop. The best soil is so called bottom land. New 
land should not be selected, as it never produces a high tonnage it should be at least 
two years under cultivation. If possible spread the ground before plowing with 
well rotted manure. Should there not be sufficient manure at hand, we would advise 
the use of a fertilizer consisting of lime-cake, ammonia and phosphates. This may 
perhaps appear to be expensive, but experience has shown that greatly increased 
tonnage results therefrom. Under no circumstances should seed be planted where 
land is sandy enough to blow. 

PLOWING. 

Immediately after taking off the grain, plow shallow (2 or 3 inches) in order to 
prevent the weeds from going to seed. When this is done spread your field with 
manure and in the fall plow deep (10 to 12 inches). This is very important, because 
the beet is thereby enabled to penetrate into the subsoil without much obstruction, 
thus preventing it from growing out of the ground and allowing it to extract consider- 
able nourishment from the lower soil. The deep plowing will also give you clean 
ground and will make it ready for early planting and thus insure large tonnage. 

In case the plowing has not been done in the fall, flozu as early in the spring 
as the ground will do to handle without sticking, for three reasons: ist, because 
the sooner the weeds are encouraged to grow the more of them can be killed before 
planting the beets; 2nd, because land plowed while the weather is cool will retain the 
moisture much longer than it will if plowed during warm weather; 3d because it is 
much better to allow the ground to settle as much as possible after plowing and before 
preparation of seed bed so that it will become thoroughly packed, thus insuring 
better and quicker germination. In the spring never throw up more than two inches 
of soil that has not been stirred before; if your soil has never been plowed over 6 
inches it is better to use a subsoil plow to loosen the ground to the proper depth. 
These instructions refer only to spring plowing; when good land with deep soil is 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



plowed in the fall, it makes no difference how much new soil is turned up as it would 
decay in winter through the action of the frost. After spring plowing harrow or 
better float, once immediately, and then leave the ground as it is until the time to 
prepare the seed bed, thus allowing the zueeds to sprout. If the previous crop was 
corn it is absolutely necessary to take the stalks and roots off the ground in the right 
manner in order to permit of easy and proper horse-cultivation; it will not do to 
plow the stalks under, however, as it cannot be done effectually the cultivator-knives 
bringing them back to the surface once more, and at the same time dragging along 
with them, more or less of the small beet plants. The best way is to remove the 
mold-board from the plow which will enable you to loosen the roots without turning 
the corn stalks under. Then gather them up with a bay rake into piles and after 
burning as much as possible haul off the remainder. 

PREPARATION OF SEED BED. 

Land that has been fall-plowed must be harrowed as soon as the frost is out of 
the ground and the soil is dry enough to prevent sticking. This work will level the 




BEET DRILL. 

ground, thereby holding the moisture in the soil and increase the germination of the 
weeds, etc. To secure a good crop, it is absolutely necessary to kill all the weeds in 
the ground before seeding. Here is uihere most failures occur, and if weeds are 
allowed to get a start the cultivation of the crop will involve much unnecessary and 
expensive hand-work. Therefore, to prepare a good seed-bed, we advise working 
the soil four to five inches deep with a pulverizer, or better yet with a corn cultivator, 
once lengthwise and once crosswise, making sure not to miss any spot in the field as 
it is necessary to loosen any weeds that may have already sprouted. Then harrow 
lengthwise and crosswise to level the soil perfectly and finish killing the weeds. After 
this pack the top soil (2 to 3 inches) well, with a heavy roller, never use a plank float, 
as floated ground is never well packed and will besides increase blowing and washing. 
The better the soil is packed after the zueeds are killed, the better the beet seed will 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



sprout. All the above work must be performed at a time when the ground is in good 
working condition, (that is, not too damp, as the working of wet soil must be strictly 
avoided). As beet seed requires considerable moisture to germinate it would also be 
a great loss to the beet-grower to allow the soil during the preparation of the seed 
bed to dry out; therefore in dry weather or in an average season the field must be 
prepared and seeded the same day, this being the only way in which the moisture 
can be kept in the ground a great feature in crop-raising and especially so in beet- 
culture. 

To prevent blowing, which is very disastrous to the small beet plants, (our ex- 
perience has shown us, that even the best black bottom land will blow, if level and 
fine, which it must be to secure a good crop) we advise running a light harrow over 
the field, after rolling but before seeding. This harrow must be very light and can 
be easily constructed and without much expense by using 2x2 pine pieces for the 
beams and large nails for the teeth, only letting them project below the beams i^ to 
2 inches. This harrow must simply scratch the soil (not over l / 2 inch deep), thus 
giving a rough surface, which will surely prevent blowing, except on dry, sandy soil, 
on which, for this reason and some others, sugar beets should never be planted. The 
.soil must not be loosened again by a deep harrowing, as this would injure the ger- 
mination. 

SEEDING. 

To secure a full yield it is absolutely necessary to have a good stand. The 
time of planting depends largely upon the season, it being generally from about 




April 25th to May 25th, or about the season of corn planting, Not less than 20 
pounds of seed per acre should be used to secure a good stand under all conditions ; 
because, should the weather be dry the best seed will come up first and there will be 
enough for a good stand ; on the other hand should a crust be formed on the field 
after a heavy rain one plant will help the other to break through the ground. There- 
fore sow at least 20 pounds to the acre. 

Seeders made especially for this purpose, seeding four rows at a time and drop- 
ping the seed continuously in rows (14 to 18 inches apart, according to the fertility of 
the soil) will plant 10 to 12 acres per day. Never plant over three-fourths of an 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



33 



inch deep, but see that the earth is well packed around the seed by the press wheels, 
attached to the back of the drill, because by pressing the surface the necessary mois- 
ture for germinating in a dry season is drawn by capillary attraction out of the 
deeper soil. The heavier the soil and the earlier the planting, the shallower must the 
sowing be in order to prevent the seed from rotting in the ground. The deeper the 
seed is planted, especially in heavy soil, the weaker the plants will be if they come up 
at all. Therefore avoid deep planting-. 

Parties growing a large acreage and not having very much help, will do well to 
plant the crop in sections, at intervals of one week apart, in order to gain more time 
for thinning ; however, do not plant too late, for in that case the beets will not be 
strong enough when the dry season sets in, about the middle of July, and will there- 
fore suffer from the drouth, while the earlier, and consequently stronger plants, will 
thrive well and a heavier and better crop be insured. You had much better hire help 
during- thinning- time than to plant too late. 

CULTIVATING. 

This work is performed with one-horse cultivators, which work two or four rows 
at a time. If, after sowing, a heavy rain should cause a crust to form on the field, 




KEET DRILL. 

the light harrow is recommended ; but this only in case the seed has not germinated, 
as otherwise it would be better to run the cultivator over the field, following the rows, 
which can be done easily before the seed is up as the marks of the press-wheels can 
be plainly distinguished. This ivork, hoicei'er, can be better done by hand hoes 
(i i inches wide ; see hoeing). As soon as the beets break through the ground and 
the rows can be followed the cultivation must begin, the earlier the better, not only 
to destroy the weeds but to loosen the soil, which permits the air to penetrate, thus 
forcing the growth of the beet and improving its quality. It is very important to kill 
the weeds before they get above the ground, or at least before they become well- 
rooted. This can be easily accomplished by cultivating the field with the flat shovels 
every 8 to 10 days, care being taken to set the knives as close as possible to the rows, 
and never over two inches from the rows, as long as the beets are small. As the beets 
grow older, however, the shovels should be run gradually farther away from the 



34 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



beets, and also deeper until the leaves meet in the center of the rows, by which time 
the cultivation should have reached a depth of 6 inches and should then cease as the 
beets are ready to lay by. Besides destroying the weeds this repeated cultivation 
prevents evaporation from the deeper soil and secures a good and healthy growth; 
Never hill your beets, as level land keeps the moisture best. 

THINNING OUT. 

Care should be exercised in doing this part of the work as it is the most impor- 
tant of all the cultivation and care of the crop, It is very necessary that this should 
be done just at the right time, and the sooner it is done the better for the growth and 
yield of the crop. As soon as the beets have four leaves they should be thinned and 
must not remain longer than one week without thinning, as the roots will entwine 
around each other, if left longer, and make the thinning detrimental to the plant that 
is left. To peform this work, the beets should be bunched (directly after a horse 




FOUR- ROW CULTIVATOR. 

cultivator) -with an ordinary 6 inch hoe, cutting six inches of beets out and leav- 
ing a tzvo-inch bunch containing from j to 6 beets. After the beets are bunched 
the healthiest plant in each bunch is selected by the thinner to be left standing, the 
others being pulled out by hand, together with all the weeds near by. This operation 
will leave one plant every nine or ten inches and the ground should be pushed up 
zvell around each (but not packed). 

HOEING. 

The first hoeing, zuhich is very important for the grozuth of the small plants, 
must be given zvith an ordinary n inch hoe betzveen the rozus of *% to 2 inches 
deep and as soon as the beets break through the ground, or if crust is formed, as 
soon as this occurs, following the press-zcheel marks. 

As the ground will have become packed during the bunching and thinning, thus 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



35 




BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



preventing proper circulation of air, and the young plants, moreover, will have be- 
come weakened by their disturbance ; and for the further reason that it is cheaper to 
do it then, the second hoeing should be given with a 7 inch hoe the day after the 
beets are thinned, and never later than a few days after, care being taken to kill the 
weeds out close to the plant but in such a manner as not to loosen or injure the beets. 
As the cultivator only loosens and clears the ground between the rows, the hoe must 
perform this work between the different plants. This hoeing should be three inches 
deep. A similar hoeing may be necessary twice after this, the last depending upon 
the freedom from weeds, also upon whether the ground is loose enough to enable the 
roots to grow. Both of the last hoeings should be as deep as it is possible to make 




FOUR ROW CULTIVATOR. 

them without injuring or loosening the plant. Under ordinary circumstances no work 
should be necessary in the field after eighty days from the time of planting except the 
final and deepest horse cultivation. 

HARVESTING. 

By the first part of October the beets are ready to harvest; the first planting 
generally a few weeks earlier. As the beets increase in tonnage mostly in September 
and the first part of October the harvesting with full force should not be started be- 
fore the middle of October. The harvesting is done with a two-horse puller which 
loosens the beets but leaves them in the ground. After this the beets have to be 
pulled by hand and topped with a corn-knife at the base of the bottom leaf and can 
then be shipped to the factory, or siloed at the field and shipped later, after the beet- 
growers have finished their other farm work. 

SILOING. 

As to the best method of doing this, from our five years' experience in siloing in 
this state, we should recommend the following plan : 

In the first place do not harvest your beets until they are ripe, as green beets do 
not keep as well in siloes as ripe ones, and besides should you harvest when too green 
they might not contain the necessary 12 per cent, of sugar with purity of So per cent. 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR KEET IN ILLINOIS. 



37 




38 BULLETIN NO. 49. [January, 

In an average season no beets should be siloed before October isth, and if the 
weather is warm it would be better to wait until the 2oth, but in no case should the 
beets be allowed to remain unharvested and not siloed until the ground freezes. 




BEET LIFTER. 

Frost-bitten beets will not keep ; therefore all beets that you silo must be free from 
frost and be covered up the same day that they are harvested. 

We would advise making five to seven silos to the acre, placing not less than two 
tons in each silo. 

When ready to silo lift the beets from forty to forty five rows with a horse har- 
vester. These loosened beets must then be pulled out of the ground by hand and 
thrown in piles. It is advisable, in case the strip you have lifted contains forty-five 
rows, to make a pile (silo) every six rods the length of the strip, and as this section of 
the forty-five rows is about four rods wide and six rods long, each silo would thus 
contain the beets from twenty-four square rods (about one-seventh of one acre). To 
prevent unnecessary handling it is advisable to first pull out the beets from the middle 
of the marked twenty-four square rods, placing them in such shape as to make a vacant 
place in the center of about one rod wide and two rods long, then to pull the balance 
of the beets throwing them into a windrow close to and surrounding this vacant, spot. 
When this is finished, top the beets (at the base of the bottom leaves) with one stroke 
of the knife and throw them in the vacant. place, making a pile four feet wide and not 
over three feet high, the length of the pile depending entirely on the yield. After all 
the beets are topped and piled up in proper shape cover the pile with six inches of 
dirt, being careful not to have any leaves or straw on the beets or mixed with them, 
and also to leave wide open a hole one foot in diameter, every five feet on top of the 
pile (at least two in each pile) for ventilation, as beets will sweat some after siloing 

It is generally advisable not to put much more than six inches of dirt over the 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



beets in October, but to keep them free from frost you should cover the silo before 
the weather gets cold, say about ten days or two weeks after harvesting, in any case, 
before hard frost sets in evenly, with five to six inches of loose straw, leaving the 
ventilation holes uncovered, and place about two inches of dirt on top of the straw to 




prevent it from blowing away and for the purpose of packing it, as when well packed 
it will best keep the cold air out of the silo. 

Thus the covering in the end will be composed of six inches of dirt, two inches of 
packed straw and then two inches more dirt. 




In an ordinary season such covering should keep your beets from freezing, but 
should there be exceptionally cold weather you might find it necessary (in case we 
have not ordered all your beets delivered to the factory by that time) to cover the' 
remaining piles with some long manure. 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 




1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 41 

As soon as the covering of silo freezes two inches, shut the ventilation holes with 
dirt and then keep them shut. 

GENERAL. 

When beets arrive at the factory an average fifty pounds is taken from each load. 
They are then thoroughly washed and examined to see if properly topped, then 
weighed again, the loss determining the tare. 

Beets can be delivered on cars at any station -along the line of railroads running 
into Grand Island, said cars to be loaded to their visible capacity. The factory will 
make a deduction for freight as follows: Thirty cents per ton for distances of twenty- 
five miles from Grand Island, or under; fifty cents per ton for distances exceeding 
twenty-five miles and under forty-five; and for distances exceeding forty-five miles 
and under one hundred, eighty cents per ton. When beets are shipped from a greater 
distance, rates will be named on applying to the -factory. 

Avoid placing leaves, straw or dirt in the cars, as these are deducted from the 
weight of load at factory, besides which freight must be paid upon them also. It is 
to the farmers' interest to fill and forward the cars as rapidly as possible. Shipping 
tags (which will be furnished by the factory in the fall) should be tacked -securely on 
the side of every car. When a car is sent to the factory the number and initial of 
same must be mailed us immediately, on a postal card. 

From the foregoing any farmer can obtain a general idea of the manner in which 
the beet crop must be handled. In raising sugar beets it is absolutely necessary to 
get rid of the idea of trying to save necessary labor. Sugar beets need much work, 
but they pay double or treble as much as any other crop in this state, if worked well. 
Our six years experience has shown us that seven tons of beets per acre pay for all 
the team work (30 cents per hour), all the hand labor (7% to 15 cents per hour) per- 
formed on the field, also for seed, rent of land, machinery and freight; all of the yield 
above this tonnage being clear profit. Ten tons may be regarded as an average 
crop per acre, although much higher yields are made. A good farmer who takes the 
right care of the crop and selects proper land should, in an average season, raise not 
less than twelve tons per acre. Our old beet growers even claim to be able to raise, 
in a good season, by using richly manured bottom land, 25 to 30 tons per acre, which 
yield has already been obtained by several parties. 

The seed which is purchased by us from the most reliable growers in Europe, 
and is of the best varieties, will be furnished to our contractors at a nominal price 
and to parties not within a radius of one hundred miles of i the factory we will sell 
the seed in small quantities (for experimental purposes), as long as we have it to 
spare, at twenty cents per pound cash f. o. b. Grand Island. 

OXNARD BEET SUGAR COMPANY, 

Grand Island and Norfolk, Neb. 

LABOR. 

The majority of farmers grow from 5 to 15 acres of beets and per- 
form most of the labor themselves. It is frequently necessary, however, 
to hire extra help during the thinning and harvesting periods. Farmers 
growing more than 15 acres generally contract in the spring with one or 
more laborers to do the thinning, hoeing, and topping at a -cost varying 
from $10 to $13. 

While there is demand for considerable labor, yet no great diffi- 



42 BULLETIN NO. 49. [Jamtary, 

culty has been experienced in securing help in the communities where 
the industry has been established. It is the opinion of those most 
familiar with beet culture in this -country that the industry will bring 
with it the necessary labor. 

HIGHLY BRED SEED ESSENTIAL. 

The high per cent, of sugar content necessary to success in the 
sugar beet industry can be maintained only by the most careful methods 
of plant breeding. The sugar content has been increased from the four 
to six per cent, of the unimproved beet, to twelve and sixteen per cent, 
for the field crop, with individual beets testing twenty and even twenty - 
two per cent, of sugar. It is these last that are selected for seed pro- 
duction. High bred plants, like high bred animals, tend to degenerate 
or return to their normal condition. Especially is this true if the con- 
ditions are unfavorable and the characteristics are newly acquired, and 
not strongly fixed. Hence it is that the grower gives special attention 
to the source of his seed. He must have well bred seeds that is, seeds 
with a good pedigree. 

How THE SEED is PRODUCED. 

The process is something as follows : The field of beets grown for 
this purpose is harvested with more than ordinary care to prevent any 
possible injury to the beets. From these the grower selects roots of 
good shape weighing from sixteen to twenty-five ounces, and these are 
stored in the silo until spring, when they are again sorted, and what are 
known as the "mother beets" are selected for planting. The selection 
is made by cutting off the tips of the roots and throwing them into a 
solution of common salt having a definite specific gravity, or the whole 
beets may be thrown in. Those which float are thrown out. Only 
those which sink are subjected to the final test. A hole is bored 
obliquely through the center of the upper portion of the beet and the 
juice from the pulp thus removed is tested with a polariscope, and only 
those containing the highest per cent of sugar a*e saved for planting. 
They are then set out in rows about thirty inches apart each way. 
The earth is firmly packed around the roots, and an inch of loose soil 
covers the crown. 

In the fall the seed is harvested, cleaned, and stored in a dry place. 
This seed is not placed on the market, but is planted in the spring, and 
from this crop "mother beets" are again carefully selected and placed 
in the silo. In the spring following, the beets are planted as before, 
but the mothers are not generally subjected to the same rigid test of 
the polariscope. 

The seed from this crop is then placed on the market. It will thus 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 43 

be seen that four years of work is required to produce a crop of seed for 
the market. The breeding of sugar beet seed is carried on extensively 
in Europe, but only to a limited extent in this country. 

.COST AND PROFIT IN SUGAR MAKING. 

The mean cost of manufacture of beet sugar in 113 German fac- 
tories for the campaign of 1889 and 1890 was as follows, the figures 
given below being on the basis of one ton of beets : 



Mean cost of beets 


4.44 


Salaries . 


.23 


Labor 


.66 


Interest on investment 


.aa 


Coal 


. 57 


Miscellaneous expenses 


.87 






Total expense of manufacture 


. .$ 7.io 


Total receipts for sugar, molasses and pulp 


10.07 






Profit per ton of beets 


$ 2.97 


The mean net profit for each factory was. . 


. .$ 34,240 oo 



The following upon the cost of sugar production in the United 
States is quoted from Mr. Larkander, who has had extensive experience 
in both Europe and the United States: 

DAILY EXPENSES. 
(Per ton of 2,000 Ib. of beets.) 

Fuel (12 per cent, of weight of beets) coal @ $2.25 per ton $ .27 

Wages 65 

Lime rock (8 per cent.) (g $1.60 per ton 13 

Coke, rubber tubing, leather, filter bags, oil fat, electric light, 
sundry factory materials, chemical laboratory, finished goods, 
(bags, boxes, paper, labels, and twine) commission of agents, 

excluding freight for marketable sugar 75 

One ton of beets 4.00 

Beet expenses 30 

Total * $6.10 

ANNUAL EXPENSES. 

General expenses for office, traveling and incidental expenses, 
salary of officers, repairing of building, including all material 
for the same, and pay for engineer, blacksmith, brick- 
layers, carpenters, etc., taxes, state, county, and city, in- 
surance on buildings, machinery and stock, interest and dis- 
count for spot cash payments, exchange, excluding interest 
on shares, bonds, and mortgages $50,000.00 



*The cost of erecting similar factories in this country would be about 50 per cent, more than this. 
The Graml Island factory cost $350.000 and the Norfolk factory considerably exceeded this amount. 



44 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January,. 



These $50,000 of general annual expenses are brought into account without 
regard to whether the quantity of beets handled be 40,000 or 60,000 tons per season, 
because the fluctuations in the expense item up or down are not great in relation tO' 
the quantity of beets. 




The value of the residue, on pulp and molasses, viz.: 1,200 pounds of pulp and! 
40 pounds of molasses, has been taken into calculation at the lowest market price 
for cattle and sheep food at 50 cents per ton of beets which is only half the value 
that this residue really possesses for cattle raisers or feeders. 




If the price of coal be advanced $1.00 from 2.56 per ton, then the cost of pro- 
ducing a pound of sugar will increase but 5-iooths of a per cent., which is too little- 
to need consideration. More important will be the consumption of 25 per cent, or 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 45 

more, instead of 12 per cent, as is commonly estimated. For wages, I have estimated 
three times those paid in Europe, and the season's expenses ($50,000) are estimated 
at least 50 per cent, higher than is estimated in good running European factories. 
The same principle has been followed in the estimate of 75 cents per ton in daily 
expenses for various necessary articles. 

We reach the conclusion that a factory using annually 40,000 to 50,000 tons of 
beets, and producing 180 to 220 pounds of granulated sugar from each ton of beets 
produces a pound of sugar at a cost of 3^ cents. 

The selling price of sugar will be materially higher later, when raw sugar is 
bought at Hamburg or Cuba and imported under the present Dingley tariff, for the 
cost of granulated sugar made from imported raw sugar, refined in the United States 
today is surely 5^ cents and higher per pound, against about 3^ cents for granulated 
sugar produced from beets grown in the United States. Therefore, I predict that the 
beet sugar industry will grow and prosper in this country. 

* Where the Money Goes. The Chicago Inter-Ocean, investigating 
the Lehi, Utah, sugar factory operations for the year 1893^ reports the 
expenses of the factory for various items to be as follows : 

28,800 tons of beets which cost $142,233.96 

4,500 tons of coal at $3 13,500.00 

200 tons of coke at $17.10 3,420.00 

i, 600 tons of lime rock at $2.50 4,022.50 

40,000 double sugar bags at 14^0 5,800.00 

4,150 yards of heavy duck at 150 622.50 

i , 050 yards of German duck at 500 525 . oo 

6,000 pounds of sal soda 150.00 

4, 500 pounds of tallow 270 . oo 

'30, ooo pounds of sulphur 600 . oo 

10,000 pounds of muriatic acid 350.00 

Laboratory and other supplies 5,000.06 

Paid for labor 52,923.80 



$230,417.64 

The following letter is from James G. Hamilton, Vice-President 
Oxnard Construction Company, in reply to an invitation to be in at- 
tendance at the Sugar Beet Convention to be held at the University, 
beginning February 25th : 

NEW YORK, January 21, 1898. 
E. Davenport, Esq., 
Urbana, III. 

DEAR SIR: Replying to yours of the zoth inst. would state that we appreciate 
the good work which you are doing in showing to the public the inadvisability of going 
recklessly into the erection of beet sugar plants and we should be glad to be present 
at the meeting on February 25th that you speak of, but are so occupied with the 
erection of a large plant in Southern California, that such would be impossible. 

This company has been organized with the view of not only building and equip- 
ping beet or cane sugar plants for those desiring to go into the business, but also for 
manning and where necessary running the plant for its first campaign. 

*Wis. Bull. No. 55 tCapacity Irebled since 1893. 



46 BULLETIN NO. 49. [January, 

You are probably aware that we have built and are operating three of the most 
successful factories in this country and should the policy of our national government 
be that of protection to the sugar industry of the United States, there is no reason 
why in a comparatively short period of time, we should not produce all the sugar con- 
sumed by our citizens. * * * Yours very truly. 

OXNARD CONSTRUCTION Co., 

J. G. HAMILTON, 
Vice-President , 

At the request of the Experiment Station the American Copper, 
Brass & Iron Works, Chicago, furnishes the following valuable com- 
munication relative to the cost of erecting factories, and the conditions 
necessary for their successful operation: 

CHICAGO, Jan. 21, 1898. 

The cost of a beet sugar factory depends greatly upon the completeness of its 
installation; much contradictory advice is given on this subject by various parties, 
who have sprung up all over our country as experts and promoters, in the hopes of 
reaping a harvest out of the coming boom in the sugar business. 

To build sugar factories it takes large capital and the agreement of the surround- 
ing farmer community to supply the necessary beets for operating the same. A sugar 
factory without beets or beets without a factory cannot exist, but both interests must 
be identical. The farmer or beet grower must first encourage capital with his will- 
ingness to enter into contracts for a number of years, not one, two or three years, 
but five years or more, so as to satisfy the parties who will furnish the money for 
erecting the factory that they need not fear for want of supply of the product neces- 
sary to operate such an institution and thus insure the investment made by the capi- 
talist. The better and surer way would be for the beet raisers themselves to aid 
such an enterprise financially and thus become more closely identified with the suc- 
cess of the factory. If capital can be convinced that the before mentioned conditions 
can be accomplished there will be no trouble of obtaining the necessary means for 
erecting factories. 

The success of beet sugar making in the United States has been fully demon- 
strated by the results obtained by the few up-to-date factories now in operation. 
This is due to no cheap concerns, but to establishments which are in every respect 
strictly complete and equipped with the very best up-to-date machinery and 
arrangements, built according to practical experience and scientific researches, and 
especially those designed and erected by American engineers and equipped with 
American machinery and by reputable manufacturers of such machinery. 

The cost of such machinery is so varied that it is almost impossible to give an 
approximation of the cost of same owing to the different constructions and qualifica- 
tions. The most experienced and reputable contractors and manufacturers give the 
figures of a plant all complete and ready to operate, equipped with the very best and 
modern machinery and buildings and the most approved arrangements at $1,000.00 
for each ton of beets which such a factory will consume in 24 hours. That is, a 
factory of 350 tons would cost $350,000.00. 

This estimate is substantially correct, but much depends on the location, founda- 
tions for buildings, water supply, cost of building material, freight rates, etc , which 
cannot very well be given in a general approximation. 

Sugar factories are most always contracted for complete with buildings, beet 
sheds, water intake and the entire equipments ready to operate; or the complete 



1898.] THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 47 

machinery equipment without buildings; but in the latter case the plans must be 
furnished by the machinery contractor so as to adapt them to the machinery to be 
installed in same, which is very heavy and bulky, and requires a well calculated and 
strong, substantial structure. 

No factory should be built by piecemeal, that is machinery procured from various 
manufacturers and erected by parties who may attempt to build sugar factories in that 
way, for the reason that all the machinery must harmonize and be proportioned 
together, if it is to be successful. In this way of building no one will want to assume 
responsibility in case of failure of any of the apparatuses, and it may cause serious 
delays and great damage to the company. Delays and break-downs mean the loss of 
the beet crop which will have to be paid for by the company whether utilized or not. 

Buildings for sugar factories should always be designed large enough and with 
the view that the capacity can be increased or doubled at any future time. The 
extra outlay for this in the beginning is not very much more, and will be found 
greatly advantageous in the future. The extra help required in a factory of double 
capacity is proportionally smaller than when two separate factories are operated. 
Labor is a great and costly factor, and therefore only the most improved labor-saving 
arrangements should be employed, designed by experienced and practical engineers 
who understand the wants and requirements of a successful sugar factory. 

These suggestions are conscientiously made in the hopes that they may assist in 
promoting the beet sugar interest in our state, and to prevent any existing miscon- 
ceptions among the readers of your valued bulletin. The writer has had many years' 
practical experience in designing and erecting sugar factories and sugar machinery, 
and has been prominently connected in assisting in the designing of the Lehi, Utah, 
sugar factory, and as superintendent of erecting the machinery of that plant. 

J. NEUERT, M. E. Supt., 
American Copper, Brass & Iron Works. 

Sugar Machinery Department. 



ACREAGE NECESSARY TO SUPPLY A FACTORY. 

From 3,500 to 4,500 acres will be required to supply the average 
sized factory with 40 to 50 thousand tons of beets for a campaign. At 
Grand Island and Norfolk about three-fifths of the beets are produced 
within a radius of eight miles of the factories, or hauling distance. 
The other two-fifths are produced outside of this radius and shipped in 
by rail, in some instances a distance of 85 miles. 

There are 128,500 acres within a radius of 8 miles. If, therefore, 
all the beets necessary to supply a factory were grown within this area, 
less than three of every eighty acres would be required, or about 3 per 
cent. 



BULLETIN NO. 49. 



[January, 



STATISTICS LITERATURE MACHINERY. 

The following tables furnish much valuable information relative to 
the beet sugar industry both in Europe and in the United States: 

WORLD'S CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR.* 





1896. 


1895. 


Country. 


Total amount 
in tons. 


Pounds per 
capita. 


United States ... 


i 960 ooo 


62 60 


Canada and Provinces. 


140 ooo 




Great Britain 


1,494,000 


86.09 


Germany 


SQ4.OOO 


26 78 


Austria. 


343 OOO 


IQ 8l 


Holland and Belgium 


3QI OOO 




France , . 


555,000 


3O.62 


Russia 


500 ooo 


IO Q4 


Other countries of Europe (estimated) 


513,000 












6,490,000 




Unaccounted for 


I 347 OOO 










Total production 


7,837,000 





* Edwin F. Atkins in FORUM for Nov., 1897. 

GROWTH OF THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



France. 


Germany. 


United States. 


Year. 


Tons 
of sugar. 


Year. 


Tons 
of sugar. 


Year. 


Tons 
of sugar. 


1830 


4,000 


1840 


12,000 


1887 


3io 


1840 


22,000 


1850 


52,000 


1890 


4,000 


1850 


62,000 


1860 


126,000 


1891 


6,000 


1860 


126,000 


1865 


180,000 


1892 


6,003 


1870 


282,000 


1870 


186,000 


1893 


i3,54 2 


1873 


410,000 


1880 


599,000 


1894 


22,555 


1890 


750,000 


1890 


1,200,000 ; 1895 


33,600 


1896 


750,000 


1896 


1,845,000 1897 


40,000 



NUMBER OF FACTORIES, YIELD OF BEETS PER ACRE, AND YIELD OF SUGAR IN THE 
PRINCIPAL BEET SUGAR COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, 1895-96. 

GERMANY. The number of factories, 397; quantity of beets used, 10,589,413 
tons; number of acres cultivated, 0930,372; mean yield per acre, 13.8 tons; mean 
price of beets, $4.64 per ton; yield of raw sugar, 13.11 per cent, on weight of beets; 
average output of raw sugar per factory, 3,690 tons. 

FRANCE. Number of factories, 356; quantity of beets used, 4,909,221 tons; 
yield of refined sugar, 10.97 per cent, on weight of beets; number of acres cultivated, 
405,852; yield of beets, 9.5 tons per acre; average output of refined sugar per factory, 
1,702 tons. 

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Number of factories, 216; quantity of beets used, 5,225,390 
tons; yield of raw sugar, 13.5 percent, on weight of beets; average output of raw 
sugar from each factory, 3,323 tons. 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



49 



RUSSIA. Number of factories, 273; quantity of beets used, 4,818,869 tons; per 
cent, of raw sugar in beets, 15.71; average output of sugar for each factory, 
2,565 tons. 

FACTORIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES: Belgium, 121; Holland, 30; Spain, 15; 
Szveden, 10; United States, 7; Scotland, 50. 

NUMBER OF FACTORIES OPERATING IN 1895-6. 

Germany 397 

France 356 

Russia 273 

Austria Hungary 216 

Belgium 121 

Holland ." 30 

Spain 15 

Sweden 10 

United States 7 

Scattered 50 



Total 1,475 

EXPORT BOUNTIES PAID IN 1894 TO SUGAR FACTORIES. 



Germany $ 5,781,250 

France 10,000,000 



Austria Hungary $2,000,000 

Belgium 5,000,000 



VALUE OF THE SUGAR AND MOLASSES IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES, AND 

OF THE WHEAT AND FLOUR EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES 

1891 TO 1895 INCLUSIVE. 



Imported 
Sugar 


1891. 


1892. 


1893- 


1894. 


1895- 


Totals 
1891-5. 


$105,728,216 
2,659,172 


104,408,813 
2,659,172 


116,255,784 
1,992,334 


126,871,889 
1,984,778 


76,462,838 
1,295,146 


525.727.538 
10,809,174 


Molasses. . . . 


Total 


$108,387,388 


107,067,985 


118,248,118 


128,856,667 


77.757.984 


54 .536,7i2 


Exported 

Wheat 
Wheat flour. 


$ 51,420,272 
54,705,616 


161,399,132 
75,362,283 


93.534-97 
75-494.347 


59,407,041 
69; 271,770 


43,805,663 
51,651,928 


409,567,078 
326,485,944 


Total 


$106,125,888 


236,767,415 


169,029,317 


128,678,711 


95.457.591 


736,053,022 



*!MPORTS OF SUGAR INTO THE UNITED STATES FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1896. 



Country. 


Value. 


Country. 


Value. 


Austria .... 


S 931,263 

I.77I.977 
12,528,755 
1,182,605 
11,388,487 
289,243 
4.758,569 
3 4H.368 


Santo Domingo 


$ 2,459,302 
24,215,935 
2.227,593 
2,270,902 
3,776,487 
11,338,698 


Belgium 


Cuba 


Oermany 


Puerto Rico 


Holland 


Phillipine Islands .... 
Brazil 


Dutch East Indies 


Dutch Guiana 


Hawaiian Islands 
Total 




British Guiana 


$82,554,183 



*Edwin F. Atkins in FORUM for Nov., 1897. 



50 BULLETIN No. 49. [January, 

*CONDENSED DATA CONCERNING THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY OF GERMANY. 





1894-5. 


I893-4- 


1892-3. 


Factories working 


40 s 


4O5 


4OI 


Number of steam engines 


=5,^24 


5,256 


5, 122 


Total horse power 


04,052 


87 424 


81,596 


Total beets worked (tons) 


14,526,030 


10,644,352 


9,811,940 


Total area devoted to beets (acres) 


1,098,465 


987,723 


88o,OOO 


Average yield of beets per acre (tons) 


12.8 


10 9 


II-7 










Raw sugar extracted. 
From beets in factories 


Tons. 
1,769,331 


Tons. 

1,319,006 


Tons, 
i, 175, i ^7 


From molasses (special factories) 


61,447 


55, 165 


48 Q25 


From molasses in refineries 


4 ^Q6 


1.427 


5OO 










Total raw sugar 


1,835, 174 


1,375 508 


I 224. 562 










Per cent, extracted from beets worked 
Per cent, extraction, including the working 
of molasses 


12.17 

12 64 


12.36 
12 Q2 


11.98 
12 48 


Yield of sugar per acre (Ib.) 


3, 514 


3, 140 


3,276 


Weight of beets required to produce 100 
Ib raw sugar (Ib.) 


822 


809 


835 


Molasses per 100 Ib. beets worked 


2.4 


2.63 


2. S4 


Total molasses extracted (tons) 


347, 125 


27Q.7S7 


246,272 


Consumption of sugar per capita (Ib.) 


23-5 


20.2 


21.8 



*Wis. Bull. No. 55. 

RESULTS OBTAINED BY Two AMERICAN BEET SUGAR FACTORIES DURING FIVE YEARS, 
Factory at Lehi, South of Salt Lake City, Utah. 





1891. 


1892. 


1893. 


1894. 


1895. 


Acres of beets grown 


i 500 


i 500 


2 755 


2,850 


3 3OO 


Tons of beets produced 


9,960 


9,816 


26 800 


32,604 


38 108 


Average yield of beets per acre (tons). . . . 
Per cent, of sugar in beets 


6.6 
ii .0 


6.5 
ii. 8 


9-7 

ii. 6 


11.47 
12.7 


n-54 
13.5 


Purity of sugar per cent 


80.0 


80.0 


7Q. ^ 


80.2 


81.5 


Crude sugar per acre (Ib. ) 


1,452 


I, 534 


2,250 


2.QI3 


3. 116 


Pure sugar per acre (Ib.) 


i, 162 


I 227 


1,719 


2, 336 


2, 53Q 


Began making sugar 


Oct. 12 


Sept 26 


Sent iq 


Sent 25 


Sept. 5 


Finishing making sugar 


Dec. 8 


Nov. 13 


Dec. 21 


Jan. 5 


Dec. 31 


Days in operation 


58 


49 


94 


103 


118 



Chino, California, Beet Sugar Company. 



Acres of beets grown 


i, 800 


3,488 


4, 191 


4,778 


7, 52Q 


Tons of beets produced 


13,080 


26,266 


40 353 


4^773 


83 035, 


Average yield of beets per acre (tons) . . . 
Per cent, of sugar in beets 


7.26 
13 


7-5 


II.7 


9.16 
15 


II .03 

I 5 


Crude sugar per acre (Ib.) 


1,888 


2, IOO 


^ 276 


2 748 


3 3OQ 


Sugar per acre 80 per cent, pure . . . 


i, 510 


I 680 


2 621 


2 198 


2 67O 


Began making sugar 


Aug. 20 


Tuly 13 


July 31 


Aug. 2 


Tuly q 


Finished making sugar 


Oct. 31 


Oct. ii 


Nov. 4 


Oct. 24 


Nov. 14 


Days in operation 


73 


91 


Q7 


85 


I2Q 


Average weight of beets worked daily (tons) 
Average weight of sugar made daily (Ib.) 
Total weight of sugar made (tons) 


179 

28,108 
1,026 


288 
86,852 
3 052 


509 
15.592 

7, 5^2 


526 

iii,43i 
4,7^6 


644 
161,129 
IO.393 


Average price paid farmers per ton, beets. 
Average return per acre 


$3.90 
$28.37 


$4.26 
$31-95 


$4.26 

$49.84 


$4.66 
$42.69 


$4-35 
$47- 9& 



Wis. Bull. No. 55. 



i8 9 8.] 



THE SUGAR BEET IN ILLINOIS. 



* Pounds of sugar per ton of beets: The tonnage of beets worked 
up at the Norfolk, Neb., sugar factory for the past five years, and the 
yield of sugar per ton of beets for the same period, are as follows: 



Year. 


Tons of 
beets. 


Pounds of 
sugar. 


Pounds of 
sugar per ton. 


1801 


8,183 


1,318,700 


161 


1892 


IO,72'5 


1,698,400 


1 57 


1893 


22,625 


4,107,300 


iSi.S 


1894 


25,633 


6,000,000 


218 


1895 


27,204 


4,991,300 


183.4 



*Wis. Bull. No. 55. 



SUGAR BEET LITERATURE. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Special Report No. 28, 

(300 pages). A report on the culture of the sugar beet and the 

manufacture of sugar therefrom in the United States and France. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Farmer's -Bulletin No. 52 

(1897). 
United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Chemistry, The 

Sugar Beet Industry, Bulletin No. 27 (262 pages). 
Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln, Neb., Bulletins 13, 16, 27, 

36, 38 and 44. 
Agricultural Experiment Station, Madison, Wis., Bulletin No. 55. 

Most, if not all the above publications can be had free by writing 
the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., or the 
respective Experiment Stations. 

The Sugar Beet, by L. S. Ware, contains 320 pages. It includes a his- 
tory of the industry in Europe, study of soils, tillage, seeds, and 
sowing, yields and cost of cultivation, harvesting, transportation, 
feeding value of pulp, etc. 

["The author spent fourteen years in Europe, studying the subject, 
the aim of his work being to induce American farmers to cultivate 
the sugar beet for extraction of sugar. The work amounts in fact to a 
handbook on the subject, and is the best of its kind'in the English 
language. It is most thorough from .beginning to end, giving the 
fullest details in every particular." H. L. Roth.] Henry Carey 
Baird & Co., Sio Walnut St., Philadelphia. 

Whatever other publications are consulted the community should 
provide itself at the outset with a standard periodical devoted exclu- 
sively to the industry, such as THE SUGAR BEET, Philadelphia, a 
monthly, edited by L. S. Ware, author of the book above mentioned. 
Price, $i per year. 

UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOI* 
LIBRARY 



52 BULLETIN No. 49. [January, 1898. 

SPECIAL MACHINERY. 

In addition to the ordinary farm machinery there will be required 
a beet seeder ($40 to #50), a cultivator ($25 to $35), and a lifter ($6 
to $8). 

The following companies manufacture standard sugar beet machin- 
ery, cuts of which appear in these pages: 

Deere & Mansur Company, Moline, Illinois. 

Moline Plow Company, Moline, Illinois. 

Superior Drill Company, Springfield, Ohio. 

For references to construction companies and beet sugar machinery 
consult "The Sugar Beet," the monthly mentioned above. 

PERRY G. HOLDEN, M. S., 

Assistant Agriculturist. 

CYRIL G. HOPKINS, M. S., 

Chemist. 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 




